UN PICTURE RELEASED BY PAK. PERMANENT MISSION
Mumtaz Hussain
UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has stressed the need for timely and credible information reporting of ceasefire violations in conflict areas to the Security Council by the six missions currently tasked with this role.
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, highlighted his country’s contribution to the future of UN peacekeeping at a Security Council briefing on the Heads of Military Component of the UN Peacekeeping.
The ambassador termed UN peacekeeping cost-effective and deeply impactful, and said peacekeeping operations have evolved into a flexible and responsive multilateral tool over the years.
He said the UN peacekeeping has helped countries tread the difficult path by transitioning from conflict to peace and adapting to complex and shifting threats and challenges.
“Next week, we will host Peacekeeping Ministerial preparatory meeting, in partnership with the Republic of Korea, in Islamabad. We are also proud to join hands with Denmark and the Republic of Korea, in a ‘trio’ to keep this vital agenda front and center during our current tenure on the Council,” he told the Security Council.
He asked UNSC to ensure that ceasefires lead to tangible political progress, using the pause in hostilities to support peace processes and implement resolutions—this applies to all conflicts on the Council’s agenda, including Jammu and Kashmir.
He paid rich tribute to the 4,423 peacekeepers, who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty including 181 Pakistani peacekeepers. “We honor their memory, bravery and service,” he added.
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar said that to date UN has deployed 71 peacekeeping operations covering a wide range of multidimensional responsibilities. And yet, the core original function of peacekeeping – monitoring and observing ceasefires – has endured.
He mentioned the first two Missions – the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) and the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) –established with this purpose and continue to hold relevance till this day.
He further stated that ceasefire monitoring by the UN has played a vital role in maintaining peace in several flashpoints such as Jammu and Kashmir, the Golan Heights, Cyprus, Lebanon and Western Sahara.
As impartial observers, peacekeepers serve as an early warning mechanism and a deterrent to escalation.
He said that all parties, including host countries, must strictly adhere to ceasefire terms and fully cooperate with UN missions by granting access, freedom of movement, and operational support.
