Pakistan playing key role in UN peacekeeping missions says Nawaz sharif

PAKISTAN PLAYING KEY ROLE IN UN PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS SAYS NAWAZ SHARIF

NEW YORK: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday addressed the United Nations peacekeeping summit during which he said Pakistan was playing a key role in the organization’s peacekeeping missions and expressed the country's resolve to continue with the efforts.

Sharif also paid tribute to those who had sacrificed their lives in the fight against terrorism and said Pakistan was willing to provide training for the UN peacekeeping missions.

He also called for the expansion of the domain of talks between members of the peacekeeping mission.

The premier said that 140 military personnel of the country had lost their lives while serving with the UN peace corps, adding that Pakistan had also sent its troops to the Central African Republic on the call of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

He further said that Pakistan had been serving the United Nations peacekeeping missions since 1960.

Earlier, Nawaz Sharif met with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the UN headquarters in New York on Thursday.

According to a statement released by Ban's office, the UN Secretary-General offered his condolences to Sharif for the victims of the recent floods in Pakistan.

Ban also spoke about the security situation in the country and Pakistan's relationship with neighbours Afghanistan and India.

Prime Minister Sharif urged the United Nations Secretary General to take steps for the peaceful settlement of Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of UN Security Council.

The prime minister also met with World Bank president Jim Yong Kim, UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for Global Education and former British prime minister, Gordon Brown and other global leaders.

Speaking to the Pakistani community in New York, Prime Minister Sharif defended his mandate and downplayed the anti-government protests being held in the country's federal capital. He pledged to pull Pakistan out of difficulties.

The prime minister was accompanied by Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, Ambassador to the United States Jalil Abbas Jilani and Consul General in New York Raja Ali Ejaz.

Sharif is in New York to take part in the UN General Assembly. He is scheduled to address the world body today at 10pm PST.

In his address premier Sharif is expected to speak on the Kashmir and issues concerning the country.