Pakistan to continue responding to calls for UN peacekeeping says Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Nawaz Sharif

PAKISTAN TO CONTINUE RESPONDING TO CALLS FOR UN PEACEKEEPING SAYS PRIME MINISTER OF PAKISTAN MUHAMMAD NAWAZ SHARIF

DUSHANBE: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Tuesday said that Pakistan being among the top contributors to the United Nations’ peacekeeping operations, would continue to respond to calls for peacekeeping.

He added, Pakistan had a strong and steadfast relationship with the United Nations and peacekeeping was the cornerstone of its foreign policy,

The Prime Minister expressed these views in a meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon held here on the sidelines of the High Level International Conference on Implementation of International Decade for Action, “Water for Life” 2005-2015.

He said that Pakistan had formulated its 20-point National Action Plan, adopting a policy of zero tolerance and unflinching dedication towards countering the menace of terrorism.

The Prime Minister said overriding foreign policy priority of his government was a peaceful neighborhood. “This is vital for the well-being and prosperity of our people,” he added.

“Pakistan highly appreciates and values your leadership in advancing the key objectives of peace and development, and would continue to fully support your efforts,” he added.

UN peacekeeping panel on review mission in Pakistan

Sartaj Aziz in a meeting with Chair of the United Nations’ High Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations Jose Ramos-Horta on Monday, February 4, 2015.

UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING PANEL ON REVIEW MISSION IN PAKISTAN

ISLAMABAD: Chair of the United Nations’ High Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations Jose Ramos-Horta has appreciated Pakistan’s longstanding contribution to UN peacekeeping, particularly lauding the dedication and professionalism of Pakistani peacekeepers, as it reviews the peacekeeping and political mission.

According to a statement released by the ministry of foreign affairs on Monday, Ramos-Horta met with Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz at the ministry in Islamabad on Monday.

Ramos-Horta, accompanied by two other members of the panel, Ameerah Haq and Abhijit Guha will hold consultations on the review of the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations and Special Political Missions, initiated by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

He said the panel would benefit from the views of major and experienced troop contributing countries like Pakistan.

Recalling Pakistan’s leading role and contribution for the maintenance of international peace and security, Aziz reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued commitment and support for UN peacekeeping, and shared Pakistan’s perspective on the peacekeeping, peace building and conflict prevention activities of the UN.

The Panel will make a comprehensive assessment of the UN peace operations and make recommendations to enhance their effectiveness in face of the evolving nature of conflict.

The delegation also met the defence minister and DG Military Operations.

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.

UNITED NATIONS CHIEF BAN KI-MOON SEEKS MORE PAKISTANI TROOPS

UNITED NATIONS CHIEF BAN KI-MOON SEEKS MORE PAKISTANI TROOPS

UNITED NATIONS - Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has spoken to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and several other leaders as he seeks to bolster the United Nations Force in South Sudan to protect civilians from worsening violence in the country, his spokesman said on Tuesday on 24-12-13.

The United Nations chief has proposed reinforcing the United Nations mission in the Republic of South Sudan with 5,500 more peacekeepers as well as additional assets. The mission currently has 7,000 troops and police in the country.

“On the situation in South Sudan, the secretary general has been speaking to many leaders, reaching out for their support for bolstering the capacity of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the country to allow it to do its utmost to protect civilians and for stepping up efforts to find a political solution to the crisis,” the spokesman said in a statement.

Besides the Pakistani leader, Ban has spoken with Chairperson of the African Union Commission Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union and Prime Minister of Ethiopia Hailemariam Dessalegn, President of Rwanda Paul Kagame, President of Malawi Joyce Hilda Mtila Banda, President of Tanzania Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister of Nepal Khil Raj Regmi.

Tens of thousands of people have been displaced by the conflict in South Sudan, including some 45,000 now seeking protection at UNMISS bases. Pakistan is the largest troop contributor to the United Nations peacekeeping operations around the world.