UN chief praises Pakistan for ‘great role’ in peace missions

Guterres says 150,000 Pakistanis have served for world peace and 157 of them laid their lives

February 17, 2020 06:55 PM

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday praised Pakistan’s “great work” for the UN peace missions around the world.

He visited the Center for International Peace and Stability, NUST, where he was presented a bouquet of flowers by the university students.

Addressing the participants of a seminar organized by the institute titled “Pakistan’s role in the UN Peace Missions”, the UN Secretary-General said, “It is an honour for me to address at such a prestigious organization as NUST.”

He said that he is proud to be called as a partner of those working for Peace Missions, acknowledging that Pakistan is doing great work for these UN Peace missions.

Mr Guterres said that 150,000 Pakistanis were represented in these peace missions, adding that 157 of them lost their lives for global peace.

However, he said the UN Peace missions have been facing new challenges as that new conflicts have become more complicated.

Praising the educational institute, the UN Secretary-General said that he pays tribute to the NUST for its excellence in the field of education.

He also praised the women’s participation in the peace missions for the first time.

DGMO Address

Before the UN Secretary General’s speech, Director General Military Operations (DGMO) Nauman Zakaria addressed the attendants.

He said that Pakistan became a part of the UN Peace missions thirteen years after its formation.

Since then Pakistan has been an essential part of UN peace missions, participating in as many as 46 missions, including the Congo peace mission in which Pakistan played a vital role.

“Pakistan’s army is the world’s best army and is deployed in the peace missions across the world.”

DGMO also said that Pakistan is the sixth-largest country in terms of sending its forces to the UN peace missions, and has been sending its forces for the last 18 years.

Nauman Zakaria also said that Pakistan is also observing gender parity and there are currently 400 Pakistani women are serving for the peace missions.

DGMO Address

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