Pakistan Commits to Expanding Presence in UN Peacekeeping Missions; Plans Increase in Female Personnel

New York, In a significant development at the United Nations Headquarters, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres have agreed to substantially increase the number of Pakistani personnel in UN peacekeeping missions.

According to Press Information Department, during their discussions, Minister Naqvi and Secretary General Guterres resolved to enhance Pakistan’s role in global peacekeeping efforts. This includes the deployment of an additional 128 Pakistani police officers to UN missions, revitalizing a process that had been inactive for several years. This move aligns with Pakistan’s longstanding commitment to supporting UN peacekeeping initiatives.

A key aspect of the dialogue was the focus on counter-terrorism, with discussions on establishing a dedicated UN Counter-Terrorism Force unit. Minister Naqvi presented Pakistan’s credentials, emphasizing the nation’s expertise and successful track record with its own Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD). He offered Pakistan’s assistance in shaping the proposed UNCTD force.

An important progressive step highlighted in the meeting was the increased recruitment and participation of women in Pakistan’s police forces. Both leaders discussed the potential roles these female officers could play in peacekeeping missions, acknowledging their crucial contributions to peace and security.

Minister Naqvi also took the opportunity to express his appreciation for Secretary General Guterres’s support during Pakistan’s 2022 flood crisis, noting the importance of continued international solidarity in times of need. He praised Guterres’s efforts in advocating for peace and humanitarian causes globally.

The meeting, attended by key figures including Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Munir Akram, underscored a mutual commitment to bolstering peacekeeping operations and counter-terrorism measures, setting a positive tone for future collaborations between Pakistan and the United Nations.