CSS Pakistan Affairs | Pakistan’s role in the UN Peacekeeping Missions
The following question of CSS Pakistan Affairs is solved by Hamza Aslam under the supervision of Howfiv’s Pakistan Affairs Coaches. He learnt how to attempt 20 marks question and essay writing from Sir Syed Kazim Ali, Pakistan’s best CSS and PMS English essay and precis teacher with the highest success rate of his students. This solved past paper question is attempted on the pattern taught by Sir to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory and optional subjects for years, and uploaded to help aspirants understand how to crack a topic or question, how to write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Outline
1-Introduction
2-An Overview of UN Peacekeeping missions
3-Pakistan’s Role in UN peacekeeping mission
- Participation in various UN operations and Missions
- UN Operations in Somalia (1992-95)
- UN Mission in Haiti (1993-97)
- Formation of International institutes for research and training
- Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS)
- The Peacekeeping Training Wing of the School of Infantry & Tactics
- Significant contribution of Women in UN missions
- Successful achievement of the UN target of 15pc participation of women
4-How far has Pakistan remained successful in building a positive image as a result of UN Peacekeeping missions?
- Efforts of Pakistani Blue Berets are recognized worldwide
- Enhancement in diplomatic profile at the UN
- Dispelled the misconception that emanated after 9/11
5-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
1-Introduction
Pakistan has actively participated in the United Nations peacekeeping missions since 1960. It is considered one of the most significant contributors of soldiers for these missions. The role of Pakistani blue berets has been lauded by 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.” Moreover, the formation of the Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS), establishing institutes for pre-departure participant training, and ensuring women’s significant participation have shown the country’s strong commitment to global peace. Nevertheless, the active involvement of Pakistani blue helmets in such missions has helped a lot in building a soft image in front of the world. The country has effectively used the professionalism of its forces to build a soft image and got the admiration of UN officials and other world leaders. In recognition of their bravery, 97 Pakistani peacekeepers have been awarded the highest UN accolade, the Dag Hammarskjold Medal. In addition, considering the experience of the country officials in such missions, the UN has allocated its officials to key positions; they have played significant roles in drafting concepts and manuals, revising doctrine, agenda setting, and decision-making processes. Last but not least, the blue helmets have won the hearts and minds of people where they have been deployed. The misconception about the country as a terrorist state that emanated after the 9/11 incident was effectively dispelled through these country’s ambassadors. However, the country’s role in the UN peace mission is unquestionable and has greatly helped in building a positive image of the country.
2-An Overview of UN Peacekeeping missions
UN peacekeeping missions are multifarious for helping the torn countries and those inflicted with various conflicts for lasting global peace. These missions aim to make efforts to cease fire, make peace agreements, provide humanitarian assistance, protect civilians, and disarm violent groups. The first peacekeeping mission of the UN was deployed in Arab- the Israel war. Since then, the UN has contributed to 72 missions worldwide, of which 14 are active.
3-Pakistan’s Role in UN peacekeeping mission
- Participation in various UN operations and Missions
In 1960, Pakistan first participated in the UN peacekeeping mission in Congo. Since then, it is actively participating in these missions. Moreover, Pakistan is one of the most significant contributors of soldiers and, at present, actively participating in 4 peacekeeping missions. In these missions, almost 200000 Pakistani soldiers have participated and in which 157 were martyred during performing their duties. Furthermore, the country’s blue helmets played a significant role in UN operations in Somalia. They played the duties of disarmament of violent groups, protecting civilians, and providing assistance in most conflicted areas. Likewise, in the UN mission in Haiti, Pakistan blue helmets played a significant role in ending political conducting free and fair elections there. In tribute to their contribution, the newly elected government has created a “Pakistan School.”
- Formation of International institutes for research and training
Pakistan has been actively participating in UN peacekeeping missions for the last six decades. It has benefited from that long experience and formed an International institute named Centre for International Peace and Stability at the National University of Science and Technology in Islamabad. The institute was inaugurated by former General Secretary of the UN General Assembly Ban Ki-Moon, and he remarked, “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 Pakistan’s contributions. The centre conducts research and offers PHD for local and international students to resolve conflicts with peace strategies. Furthermore, another institute, The Peacekeeping Training Wing of the School of Infantry & Tactics, provides pre-departure training to the participants of such missions. These trainings help the participants to play their role effectively.
- Significant contribution of Women in UN missions
Despite having cultural restrictions and less participation of women in the country’s affairs, Pakistan has successfully achieved the UN target of 15 per cent participation of women in peacekeeping missions. Their participation is necessary to build confidence and especially empower the women at the place of their deployment. Several women army officers, staff officers, police officers, soldiers, doctors and para-medical staff have participated in these missions. UN has praised the contribution of Pakistani women and awarded the medal to the Deputy Superintendent of police. However, the participation of women in such a mission helps to empower women across the world.
4-How far has Pakistan remained successful in building a positive image?
- Efforts of Pakistani Blue Berets are recognized worldwide
The UN officials and the international community have recognized and highly appreciated the efforts of Pakistan in maintaining global peace. On 16 February 2020, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hailed Pakistan’s peacekeeping contributions: “Pakistan is among the top contributors to UN peacekeeping. Meeting some brave women and men serving for peace worldwide was inspiring. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.” Pakistani blue helmets have earned a good reputation at the place where they have been deployed.” In recognition of their bravery, 97 Pakistani peacekeepers have been awarded the highest UN accolade, the Dag Hammarskjold Medal. So, the country’s participation in these missions has helped the country to remain in international politics and included in the list of those countries that have followed the global liberal rules.
- Enhancement in diplomatic profile at the UN
Decades of active participation in maintaining global peace have expressed the country’s strong commitment to follow the UN charter. According to the UN charter, it is a compulsion for all the member states to contrite these missions by providing soldiers and financial assistance. The long journey of participation has made the country a key player in agenda setting, drafting manuals and concepts, revising doctrine, and other decision-making processes of UN peacekeeping missions. Pakistani officials have been allocated to crucial peacekeeping positions such as special advisor to the general secretary, chief military adviser to peacekeeping missions and chief military observer. They have played a decisive role in setting peace in war-torn societies, enabling a smooth transition of governments, and maintaining law and order conditions. Finally, the commendable efforts of Blue Berets have increased the value of Pakistan’s stance in the UN.
- Dispelled the misconception that emanated after 9/11
In the post-9/11 era, the hard image of the country was established throughout the globe because of many misconceptions that prevailed by country rivals. The misconception of the country as a terrorist state prevailed among the people worldwide. However, the blue helmets have worked as the ambassador of Pakistan and helped to build a soft image of the country. Their significant role in maintaining peace and assisting people in conflicted areas has won the hearts and minds of people where they have worked. For instance, in the Somalia operation, people highly appreciated their efforts and lauded their works by raising slogans Pakistan- Somalia valla valla, meaning Pakistanis and Somalis are brothers. So, the interactions of blue berets with people from different countries have helped build a soft image and dispelled the misconceptions that prevailed worldwide.
5-Conclusion
Despite numerous challenges, the country has actively participated in UN peacekeeping missions for six decades. Its significant role in several missions and operations for lasting global peace has been admired internationally. The country has played an efficient role in forming research and training institutes and ensuring significant participation of women. Moreover, due to unmatchable contributions, the country has remained successful in building the soft image of the country. The world leaders have commended the country by acknowledging its solid efforts for establishing peace in the world. In addition, the blue helmets have excellently performed their role as ambassadors of the country for building an excellent global image. The hard image of the country is dispelled significantly because of their uncountable efforts for humanity worldwide. Therefore, Pakistan has succeeded to some extent in building a soft image through UN peacekeeping missions because of their unswerving role in these missions.
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