NEW YORK, 02 JUNE (DNA) – UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon on Thursday said Pakistan has been one of the most consistent and reliable contributors to United Nations peacekeeping since its first deployment to the Congo in 1960.

In his remarks in connection with Pakistani Peacekeepers Day, he paid rich tributes to Pakistani peacekeepers. The Secretary General said, through the decades, Pakistan has deployed more than 150,000 personnel to 41 peacekeeping missions in 23 countries.

He said today, more than 7,000 uniformed personnel from Pakistan are serving in seven peacekeeping missions, making it our third largest troop and police contributor. He said Pakistan should be very proud – just as we are deeply grateful to Pakistan.

He remembered the 142 military, police and civilian peacekeepers from Pakistan who made the ultimate sacrifice and laid down their lives in the cause of peace. He said he has had the privilege of seeing first-hand the professionalism and commitment of Pakistani police and military personnel.

 He said in places like Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia, Pakistani units were instrumental in the much improved political and security situation that the people of these countries enjoy today. Ban Ki Moon said Pakistanis have also been actively engaged in New York to enhance peacekeeping performance.

 He said Pakistan also played a leading role in the development of the UN Military Aviation Unit Manual for Peacekeeping Operations. He highlighted the excellent performance of senior Pakistani military and police officers, serving in senior command and staff appointments in the field.

He pointed out that for well over half a century, Pakistani peacekeeping troops have seen injustice in far off places and been forces for a better world.  He said we look forward to Pakistan’s continuing contributions to international peace and security in the years to come. DNA