The Pakistan UN peacekeeping West Asia peace recognition has been extended by António Guterres, who is the UN Secretary General, in recognition of Pakistan’s peace efforts towards resolving the conflicts of West Asia and its long-term service in UN peacekeeping missions. This was done during an interaction between the UN Secretary General and Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, on Thursday, when they discussed about Pakistan’s involvement in conflict resolution in the region with the United Nations.
The statement by the Secretary-General expressing gratitude to Pakistan’s peace efforts and security is an acknowledgment of the strength of an association which has existed since the beginning of the United Nations, an association which has put Pakistani soldiers into conflicts on four continents for eight decades.
Pakistan’s Contribution to Regional Stability Recognized at the Highest Level
Through the dialogue session, Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi managed to explain how Pakistan has contributed to regional peace and stability in relation to the diplomatic efforts that have been linked to peacekeeping activities supported by the United Nations for decades.
“Despite all difficulties, Pakistan has fulfilled its responsibilities through Field Marshal and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif with regard to regional peace and stability and saving human life.”
Mentioning Field Marshal Asim Munir along with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during discussions regarding peace in the region is an indication that in addition to support from civilian institutions, the West Asian mediation efforts by Pakistan have backing from military institutions as well — hence a more consolidated approach by the country in terms of its diplomacy.
The Importance of Resources for Mandates in Peacekeeping Operations
Besides mutual appreciation, the meeting also came up with an important policy message which Pakistan has been advocating in international fora. Mr Naqvi emphasized the need for realistic mandates and resources for peacekeeping missions to be successful a stance that shows how much experience Pakistan has gained from its ground-level peacekeeping operations in some of the world’s toughest conflict situations.
UN peacekeeping missions by Pakistan West Asia peace engagement is based on a track record that ensures that the country has been one of the biggest participants in UN peacekeeping missions in the world. The Pakistani Blue Helmets have been part of peacekeeping missions in Congo, Lebanon, Liberia, Haiti, South Sudan, and many other missions.
Realistic mandates have been suggested from a practitioner’s point of view. Peacekeeping operations tend to fall apart not due to any lack of commitment from the states providing troops but because of the unrealistic nature of the peacekeeping operation, which underestimates the demands of the conflict environment. It is clear that the voice of Pakistan in this regard is legitimate.
ALSO READ: Pakistan First Panda Bond Sell Raises 1.75 Billion Yuan
Mediation in West Asia – A Growing Pakistani Engagement
Pakistani UN peacekeeping in the context of West Asian peace talks is happening against the backdrop of growing diplomatic involvement by Pakistan in West Asia due to the ongoing conflicts in the region. The Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Field Marshal Asim Munir have both been directly involved in de-escalating conflicts with regional leaders through a two-pronged diplomatic approach.
This geographical position of the country, its status of a majority Muslim state, its ties in the Arab world, Iran, and Turkey, as well as its institutionalized military links with multiple regional states have helped Pakistan develop a unique diplomatic footprint in West Asia. The gratitude expressed by the UN Secretary-General towards Pakistan for its mediation role confirms this fact.
An 8-Decade-old Partnership
“The Secretary-General of the United Nations expressed his appreciation for the prolonged cooperation of Pakistan in the creation of the United Nations, for the purpose of ensuring world peace and security.”
Official statement
It must be remembered that the Pakistan UN peacekeeping West Asia peace partnership was not formed because of Pakistan’s mediation in the recent West Asia conflict. Since 1960, Pakistan has been contributing to UN peacekeeping missions one of the top troop-contributing nations through every decade since then. The decades of contributions of resources and diplomatic effort make Pakistan credible in the eyes of the Secretary-General of the UN.
Nayab Fatima is a media professional specializing in fact-based journalism, research, and analytical reporting on technology, telecom, aviation, and automobiles.
