CSS Current Affairs | Achievements of Pakistan in the UN Peacekeepings
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Outline
1- Introduction
2- An overview of the United Nations Peace Keeping Missions
3- How far has Pakistan been successful in achieving a positive reputation globally through its performance in the United Nations Peacekeeping Missions?
3.1- UN Socio-Economic Peacekeeping Missions
- ✓Empowerment of marginalized strata through Pakistani women in UN Peacekeeping missions
- Evidence: Pakistan has met the UN’s goal of deploying 15% female staff officers to these missions, and approximately 450 Pakistani women are now serving in countries all over the world
- ✓Rehabilitation and assistance in the functioning of various educational institutes
- Evidence: A Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS) focuses on research to find means to resolve conflicts without the use of force by means of negotiation.
- ✓Economic revitalization and establishment of rule of law
- Evidence: UN Mission in Sudan, The Pakistani contingent is comprised of an infantry battalion group, which ensures the protection of civilians and reconstruction of civic amenities in the civil war-torn country.
- ✓Flood relief, disaster management and construction of roads and other infrastructure
- Evidence: According to the UN Protection Force in Herzegovina and Bosnia, Pakistani troops provided food, medical care, clothing and financial aid from their own resources to local communities, in particular orphans.
3.2- UN Political Peace Keeping Missions
- ✓Peaceful conduct of elections and referendums to restore democratic norms
- Evidence: In the UN Mission in Haiti, The Pakistani Battalion groups restored peace and played a significant role in conducting free and fair elections in the northern reaches of Haiti
- ✓Disarmament of thousands of rebels in multiple conflict zones under hostile environments
- Evidence: In the UN Assistance Mission in Sierra Leone, a Pakistani brigade group was airlifted and performed diverse tasks like patrolling, disarmament and reintegration of rebels, and a ‘winning hearts and minds’ campaign
- ✓De-mining operations in the area spread over 125 square kilometres, mostly unmarked
- Evidence: Pakistan was the only non-European country that contributed 1,000 troops to a North Atlantic Treaty Organization-led Implementation Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- ✓Peace building and enforcement, as well as protection of other components of the UN and diplomats.
- Evidence: Pakistani Blue Helmet performance has been lauded by both the UN leadership and world leaders. During his visit to Pakistan in 2013, then-UN Secretary-General Ban said, “I was overwhelmed with gratitude for its role in aiding international peace and security.
4- Critical Analysis
5- Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
Pakistan is the largest and most effective contributor to UN peacekeeping. It is a remarkable milestone to have been selected for crucial peacekeeping roles, and the initial UN peacekeeping mission originated in 1960. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, on 13 August 2013, praised Pakistan’s efforts, “I sense great confidence and hope here today, but the feeling that overwhelms me is gratitude. It is impossible to speak about the history of UN peacekeeping without highlighting such contributions of Pakistan.” Moreover, In recognition of the contributions of soldiers’ bravery, 97 Pakistani peacekeepers have been awarded the highest UN accolade, the Dag-Hammarskjold Medal. In addition, to educate and train leaders, especially women, for international peacekeeping, a Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS) was established at the National University of Science & Technology (NUST). Last but not least, the Blue Berets from Pakistan also provided assistance in repairing and building roads, reconstructing schools and installing lights in parks and streets to facilitate night-time study in its UN missions. Participation in UN peacekeeping operations is now a tenant of Pakistan’s foreign policy, and it provides a suitable opportunity for Islamabad to gain visibility in the international arena. The Blue Helmets helped in posing a soft way of demonstrating the country’s image, helping hamper the terrorist image and enhancing the commitment to international peace and security. Essentially, a nation plays a vital role in peacekeeping operations, which strengthen diplomatic relations with other countries and project a positive image on the global stage
An overview of the United Nations Peace Keeping Missions
To begin with, The United Nations (UN) system is a group of interconnected entities that includes the United Nations itself, UN specialized agencies, UN peacekeeping operations, UN funds and programs, and other related bodies to enable the political process, protect civilians; assist in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants; support and help to organize elections; protect and highlighting human rights; and restoring the rule of law. The operations in the field are managed by utilizing the legal and political authority of the UN Security Council (UNSC), the personnel and financial contributions of member states, and the support of the host country. At present, there are 14 active UN peacekeeping missions. Various countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India, are interconnected in promoting development. The first Pakistani mission was established in 1960. As a result, Pakistan has consistently made significant contributions to peacekeeping missions.
How far has Pakistan been successful in achieving a positive reputation globally through its performance in the United Nations Peacekeeping Missions?
A- UN Socio-Economic Peace Keeping Missions
- ✓Empowering marginalized strata through Pakistani women in UN Peacekeeping missions
Pakistani women are also making an impact on US peacekeeping efforts by empowering marginalized strata. Pakistan has met the UN’s target by having 15% of its staff officers in its missions, with about 450 Pakistani women deployed globally. Pakistan continues to lead the way in sending female peacekeepers through Female Engagement Teams (FETs). At present, Pakistan has achieved a milestone by establishing its first two FETs in the UN missions in Congo and the Central African Republic. In addition, Major Fauzia Parveen, the first Pakistani officer to serve as a peacekeeper in Cyprus, explained the role of women in peacekeeping operations. “Since the UN deployed the first woman peacekeeper in Liberia in the world’s acknowledgement of women’s importance in peacekeeping. As 50% of any society, it goes without saying that if there is peace to be had, women have to be equal stakeholders. In the case of peacekeeping operations, women bring a certain nuance and sensitivity that makes the process so much a boost.” Hence, Pakistan plays a crucial role in the peacekeeping mission.
- ✓Rehabilitation and assistance in the functioning of various educational institutes
In addition, Pakistan has played a leading role in intellectual forums and deliberations under the auspices of the UN in improving concepts, employment modalities and training related to the UN. The National University of Science & Technology established the Center for International Peace and Stability. The main aim of CIPS is to promote peace and stability all over the world. It works not only on peacekeeping but also on research and development to resolve conflicts in a peaceful manner without using force. Moreover, CIPS also promotes negotiation. It was inaugurated by the then-UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on 13 August 2013. He appreciates the efforts of Pakistan, “I sense great confidence and hope here today, but the feeling that overwhelms me is gratitude. It is impossible to speak about the history of UN peacekeeping without highlighting such contributions of Pakistan.” It also provides PhD programs to national as well as international students. As President of the UNSC in 2013, Pakistan has led the initiative that resulted in one of the most significant and unique peacekeeping operations being adopted, known as the
- ✓Economic revitalization and establishing the rule of law
Moreover, economic revitalization and establishing the rule of law are the main endeavour of the peacekeeping mission. The civil war was held between the central government in Khartoum and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Sudan in January 2005; the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed between both parties and brought to an end the civil war created opportunities for South Sudan in 2011. The UNSC accomplished a mission in Sudan in support of the implementation of the agreement on 24 March 2005. The Pakistani sector dealt with the Blue Nile state to ensure the protection of civilians and the reconstruction of civic amenities in the civil war-torn country. Besides ensuring peace, the contingent also actively engaged in winning the support of locals by establishing free medical camps and providing food and other civic amenities. Pakistani Engineers also de-mined the area along the Ethiopian border – which, being unmarked, had caused numerous civilian casualties – by manual methods employing mine detection dogs.
- ✓Flood relief, disaster management and construction of roads and other infrastructure
In 1991, Bosnia became a part of several republics of the former Yugoslavia, fighting a four-year-long civil war. The Bosnian Serbs, who were well-equipped, were encouraged by the neighbouring Serbs. Their prime targets were the Muslims and Catholic Croats. A 3,000-strong Pakistani contingent was deployed in 1992 and was tasked with stabilizing the military situation by improving freedom of movement, providing protection and support to various UN agencies and non-government organizations (NGOs) engaged in relief work, and coordinating humanitarian assistance for the besieged populace. According to the UN Protection Force in Herzegovina and Bosnia, Pakistani troops provided food, medical care, clothing and financial aid from their own resources to local communities, in particular orphans. The Bosnians, as well as the international community, praised the professionalism, devotion to duty and impartiality of the Pakistani troops.
B- UN Political Peace Keeping Missions
- ✓Peaceful conduct of elections and referendums to restore democratic norms
In the aftermath of a military coup d’état of the UN mission in Haiti, the Pakistani troops struggled hard for the peaceful conduct of elections and referendums to restore democratic norms. The Pakistani Battalion Group restored peace and revived state institutions, in particular the Haitian police, which had been paralyzed by the prolonged breakdown of a functioning government and played a significant role in the conduct of free and fair elections in the northern reaches of Haiti. According to the UN Mission in Haiti, The Pakistani Battalion groups restored peace and played a significant role in conducting free and fair elections in the northern reaches of Haiti. The President of Haiti expressed the gratitude of his nation in the following words: “I express my deep appreciation and gratitude to the people of Pakistan, the Pakistan army and its valiant soldiers for their manifestation filled with utmost sincerity, friendship and solidarity.” Furthermore, the blue berets hailing from Pakistan extended their support in the form of road repairs, construction of new roads, reconstruction of educational institutions, and the installation of lights in parks and streets to facilitate nocturnal studying as a token of appreciation for their commendable endeavours a school was dedicated and named as the Pakistan school
- ✓Disarmament of thousands of rebels in multiple conflict zones under hostile environments
Furthermore, the disarmament of thousands of rebels in multiple conflict zones under hostile environments, such as the Civil War, broke out in Sierra Leone in early 1991 between the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) with support from Liberia, Libya and government forces. The war lasted for 11 years, resulting in famine, breakdown of state machinery, migration of large numbers of refugees and 50,000 dead. The UN mission in Sierra Leone was deployed after the UNSC mandate of October 1999 to help implement the peace accord between the RUF and government forces. According to the UN Assistance Mission in Sierra Leone, a Pakistani brigade group was airlifted and performed diverse tasks like patrolling, disarmament and reintegration of rebels, and a ‘winning hearts and minds’ campaign.
- ✓Peace building and enforcement, as well as protection of other components of the UN and diplomats
Pakistan’s contributions to UN missions, peacebuilding and enforcement, and the protection of other components of the UN and diplomats have been multifarious, from Europe and Africa to the Middle East. These contributions include not just military personnel but also police officials assigned to UN peacekeeping. Pakistan has contributed and encouraged women officers who have served services, such as military and police forces. Besides performance, the conduct of Pakistani peacekeepers has been exemplary compared to other contingents, whose records have been marred by various incidents. Pakistani Blue Helmet’s performance has been lauded by both the UN leadership and world leaders. During his visit to Pakistan in 2013, then-UN Secretary-General Ban said, “I was overwhelmed with gratitude for its role in aiding international peace and security. More than 100 countries contribute troops and police for UN peacekeeping missions. Pakistan is number One.”
Critical Analysis
In a critical diagnosis, there is no doubt that Pakistan’s role in the UN Peacekeeping missions has faced many twists and turns in many eras and is still facing several challenges. All this is because of political turmoil, weak government institutions, ineffective working models, and lack of funds. If such situations still persist, the threat to have strained diplomatic ties with the UN is hovering over Pakistan. Pakistan govt. It is looking to the UN for capacity building and ties to avoid catastrophic repercussions. Hence, there is a glimmer of hope that Pakistan will establish itself on the global stage by implementing these measures.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, the principles of the UN Charter, Pakistan has actively participated in UN peacekeeping in different parts of the world, in some of the most trying circumstances. Pakistani peacekeepers have demonstrated dedication to surpassing their responsibilities to promote humanity and cultivate enduring relations. The UN and leaders worldwide have commended their contributions. UN peacekeeping missions have bolstered Pakistan’s diplomatic position within the UN, amplifying the soft power projection of armed forces on a global scale.
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