President receives the Under-Secretary General for United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations

The Under-Secretary General for the United Nation’s Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), Mr. Herve Ladsous, called on the President of Pakistan on 24 March, 2014. He was accompanied by a three member delegation, including Lt. General Maqsood Ahmed, who was appointed as Military Advisor to the DPKO in 2013. The delegation is on a three day to visit to Pakistan from 24-26 March 2014.

The President reiterated Government’s continued commitment towards global and regional peace and security. He paid tribute to the Pakistani peacekeepers, who sacrificed their lives for preserving peace around the world and earned respect for the country.

The UN Under-Secretary General highly appreciated Pakistan’s contribution to the UN Peacekeeping forces, pivotal role in the preparation of Peacekeeping Manual and adoption of the Security Council resolution 2086 on peacekeeping in January 2013 during Pakistan’s Presidency of the Security Council. He stated that Pakistani peacekeepers were valued for their commitment and professionalism and praised the positive role played by Pakistani peacekeepers in UN Peacekeeping Missions in Congo, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Darfur, Haiti, Kosovo and Western Sahara. Pakistan is currently the largest UN troop contributor with 8264 personnel.

Earlier, the delegation held discussions with the senior officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Pakistan side reiterated its commitment to maintain close cooperation with the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). The positive role of UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), one of the oldest UN Missions, was also acknowledged.

Mr. Ladsous also called on the Minister of Interior. His others meetings will be in the Ministry of Defence and with high ranking officials of armed forces personnel. He will also visit National Defense University and Centre for International Peace and Security (CIPS) at National University for Science and Technology.

Islamabad
24 March 2014

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