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Pakistan calls for stronger support for UN Peacekeeping at Security Council

By The South Asia Times

NEW YORK - Pakistan has reaffirmed its commitment to United Nations peacekeeping operations while urging greater financial support and cooperation from member states to ensure missions remain effective in increasingly challenging environments.

Speaking at a UN Security Council briefing on police commissioners on Thursday, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, highlighted the critical role played by UN Police in supporting political processes, protecting civilians and strengthening the rule of law. He stressed that peacekeeping is a collective responsibility and remains central to maintaining international peace and security.

Ambassador Ahmad noted Pakistan’s long-standing contribution to UN missions, with the country deploying more than 50 Formed Police Units in operations across Haiti, Darfur, Timor-Leste and Côte d’Ivoire, among others. Eleven Pakistani police personnel have lost their lives while serving under the UN flag, underscoring the country’s continued dedication to global stability.

He also praised the professionalism of Pakistani officers, recalling that policewoman Shahzadi Gulfam became the first recipient of the International Female Police Peacekeeper Award in 2011. Recently, 13 Pakistani personnel — including three women — were honored with UN medals for their service in South Sudan.

However, the ambassador expressed concern over mounting challenges facing peacekeeping missions, particularly financial constraints and insufficient host state cooperation. He warned that funding shortages have forced capacity reductions, potentially affecting mandate delivery and the safety of peacekeepers.

With only about 4,600 personnel deployed out of an authorized UN Police strength of nearly 7,740, Ahmad called on member states to pay their assessed contributions in full and on time.

Emphasizing that UN “blue helmets” remain the most visible symbol of the organization’s commitment to peace, he said Pakistan would continue working with partners to ensure peacekeeping operations remain adequately resourced and operationally capable.