Pakistan Calls For Steps To Ensure Safety Of UN Peacekeepers Amid New Threats
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published April 14, 2021 | 10:00 AM
UNITED NATIONS, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Apr, 2021 ) :Voicing concern over the increasing number of attacks against United Nations' peacekeepers, Pakistan has underscored the need for ensuring their safety and security as they serve in hot spots around the world, "We have lost 160 of our bravest peacekeepers over the last six decades, with three of these casualties coming in the last one year," Aamir Khan, deputy permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, told the Security Council's Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations on Tuesday.
As a leading troop contributor to UN peacekeeping operations, he said, Pakistan was therefore most interested in the discussions on safety and security of peacekeepers.
"It is in this spirit that we call for upholding the fundamental principles of peacekeeping," Aamir Khan said, pointing out that Pakistani troops have served in some of the most successful UN peacekeeping missions, such as Sierra Leone, Burundi, Timor-Leste and Liberia.
Referring to the surge in attacks against the peacekeepers and the rising fatalities, the Pakistani representative stressed the need for the UN to recommit to the protection of its personnel, apply its duty of care to every security incident and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
"This is vital to preserve the sanctity of blue flag," he said, as also essential to upholding the Security Council resolution 2518, which calls for investigating and prosecuting promptly those responsible for attacks on UN personnel.
With peacekeeping environments becoming volatile, Aamir Khan made some recommendations aimed at strengthening the safety and security of peacekeepers.
These included training in specialized capabilities, such as expertise in counter Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and mine action as well as critical enablers including multi-role engineers, aviation and medical units that contribute to personnel security; addressing gaps between mandates and resources; more impact-driven peacekeeping partnerships for capacity-building and the primacy of politics in establishing and sustaining peace.
The Pakistani representative said that peace cannot be established by peacekeepers alone -- it needs to be complemented by mediation processes and political solutions.
In his remarks, Aamir Khan also said that Pakistan, besides being a troop contributor, also hosts one of the oldest peacekeeping missions � United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), which monitors the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan, he said, values UNMOGIP's vital role in maintaining peace and security in the disputed region, and remains fully committed to respecting the group's mandate as well as to the security and freedom of movement of its personnel.
"Those caught up in protracted conflict see the blue helmets as a lifeline and a source of hope for a free and safe future," the Pakistani representative said.
"Let us work together to keep this hope alive."
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
Osaka seals first win on clay since 2022 in Madrid
Earthquake jolts Karachi
Sindh minister orders operation after attack on police in Ghotki
TikTok to fight US ban law in courts
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
1 day ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
3 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
3 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
4 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
4 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
4 days ago
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
6 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
10 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
10 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
11 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
14 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
16 days ago