In the meeting with the Mr Jean Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General, United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javaid Bajwa on Monday, has accrued that Pakistan will continue its effective role in United Nation’s (UN) peacekeeping missions.

General Bajwa at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi told the UN secretary-general, “Pakistan Army is one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping forces in maintaining international peace and security under United Nations flag".

Visiting dignitary acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan Army’s sincere efforts and sacrifices in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations and said Pakistan’s peacekeeping efforts are acknowledged across the globe.

Secretary-General Lacroix said, We are extremely grateful to Pakistan for its warm welcome and also for Pakistan outstanding contribution to UN peacekeeping.

This visit was also an opportunity to pay tribute to 156 Pakistani peacekeepers who lost their lives serving the UN, we express special thought for them, for their memory and also their families and we also would like to extend our thanks and gratitude to all the Pakistani peacekeepers currently serving in our missions and as well as their families, he stated.

All of them are paying a price for that and we are extremely grateful. Pakistani Army and Armed forces contributions to our mission is really making a difference and we think it’s an outstanding contribution to the cause of Peace and stability in the world, Lacroix further added.

Paying tribute to the Pakistani peacekeepers UN secretary general stated, in many cases peacekeepers make the difference between lives and deaths for these vulnerable civilians and there again we have seen how much the Pakistani Peacekeepers were helpful in protecting civilians.

Mr Jean Pierre Lacroix also visited the Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS), at National University of Science and Technology, (NUST).

CIPS was established in 2013 to provide peacekeeping training to Domestic and International peacekeepers and was inaugurated by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon .

While interacting with students and faculty members, the visiting dignitary paid rich tribute to sacrifices of Pakistani peacekeepers for global peace and security and saving civilian lives under UN umbrella.

Pursuing a long history with UN Peacekeeping since 1960's Pakistan has been wholeheartedly supporting UN in Peacekeeping in more than 44 missions.

The delegation paid tribute to 156 Pakistani peacekeepers who have sacrificed their lives in the noble cause of humanity and restoring peace and stability in different regions.