Additional Pak Army Units Ready For Deployment To UN Peacekeeping Missions: Maleeha Lodhi
Pakistan has called for making arrangements for quick deployment of additional Pakistan Army units and equipment that a special team of United Nations has selected for UN peacekeeping operations.
Peacekeeping, as defined by the United Nations, is to create conditions for sustainable peace within countries torn in conflict. The Pakistan Ambassador to United Nations, Maleeha Lodhi said, “We continue to figure among the top troop contributors. Our peacekeepers have an exemplary record of delivering in testing circumstances and in implementing and fulfilling demanding mandates with professionalism and distinction.”
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, as a co-host of the Leader’s Summit on Peacekeeping last September, had announced additional pledges, including an infantry battalion, transport, engineering and signal companies, additional utility helicopter, a level-II and a level-III hospital for deployment in future peacekeeping missions.
Lodhi further said that the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations has confirmed the troops to be deployed and the pledges made by the Prime Minister, after its visit to Pakistan.
Since 1960, Pakistan has been actively involved in most of the UN peacekeeping operations and is one of the top troop-and-police contributors today. More than 7000 uniformed personnel from Pakistan are serving in seven peacekeeping operations.
Earlier this month, Pakistani troops of UN peacekeeping missions were applauded by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon for their valuable contribution in establishing peace throughout the world.
