On 14 August, MINURSO raised the Pakistani national flag at the Mission HQ in Laayoune to commemorate the country’s Independence Day.
Since 1960, Pakistan has been one of the main troops and police contributors to the UN peace operations with more than 200,000 men and women sent to 46 UN missions. Currently, over 4000 Pakistani peacekeepers serve in eight peace operations. In 2019, the first Pakistani Female Engagement Team joined the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) to provide a wide range of resources in the South Kivu region and highlight women’s role in the promotion of peace and security,
During the six decades, 166 Pakistani blue helmets lost their lives in line of service. This year, on 29 March, six militaries from Pakistan died in an UN helicopter crash in the DRC, together with two peacekeepers from Serbia and Russia.
In MINURSO, 14 Pakistani military observers are deployed at the Mission HQ and the Team Sites. [https://minurso.unmissions.org/gallery/all-images] Until March 2022, Major General Zia Ur Rehman from Pakistan served as MINURSO Force Commander throughout three remarkable years. [Link]
In 2022, Pakistan celebrates the 75th anniversary of its independence. The colors on its national flag stand for prosperity and good fortune (green) and peace (white).