[Bromymbollile]

Pakistan joined the United Nations on 30 September, 1947. Pakistan has been involved in most of the UN Peacekeeping missions and its specialized agencies and other bodies, as well as in various UN conferences. Pakistan has been selected as a member of the Peace building Commission from the category of troop contributing countries.


Pakistan claims to be the largest contributor of military personnel to UN operations for the last three years 2000s. Pakistan is also amongst the top providers of Civilian Police and Military Observers. The history of Pakistan Armed Forces commitment in peacekeeping can be traced back to 1960 when Pakistani soldiers became part of United Nations peacekeeping efforts in Congo.


The countries past contributions to various UN missions in form of contingents and observer groups include UN mission in Congo, 1960-64, UN Security Force in New Guinea West Irian, 1962-63, UN mission in Iraq-Kuwait in 1991-2003, UN Mission in Haiti, 1995-1998, UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia, 1992-195, UN Mission in Somalia, 1992-1995, UN Operation in Somalia, 1992-1995, UN Protection Forces in Bosnia,1992-1996, UN Transitional Administration for Easter Slovenia, 1996-2001, UN Assistance Mission in Sierra Leone, 2001-2005 and UN Mission in Brundi, 2004. The mission in Congo was established in August 2003.
Presently a total of approximately 10513 troops of Pakistan army and Police are part of UN missions around the globe, 250 in Haiti, 175 in Kosovo, 3,590 in Congo, 3,419 in Liberia, 1,580 in Sudan, 1,304 in Ivory Coast and 195 in East Timor.


Pakistan claims that it is providing approximately 12.25 per cent of its total number of troops for ongoing UN missions and current deployments include eight major peacekeeping missions. 98 Pakistani peacekeepers (almost two men per year) have been killed during the peacekeeping deployments. In addition to that around 100 personnel were wounded.

Pakistan started this mission by contributing a battalion group, comprising one infantry battalion and supporting elements. The mission was later expanded and Pakistan contributed an additional infantry brigade comprising three infantry battalions. Presently 3,582 troops of Pakistan Army are deployed. In Liberia presently over 3391 troops of Pakistan are serving in blue beret. The mission established in November 2003, consists of a sector headquarters, two infantry battalions, one infantry battalion as Quick Reaction Force, three engineer companies and a level II hospital. In Ivory Coast Pakistanis contingent with a total strength of 1,129 personnel consists of elements Transport Company, Engineers, Infantry Police Unit comprising 175 personnel. UN established its mission in Sudan in October 2005. Pakistani contingent consists of Sector Headquarters, an Infantry Battalion Group, two Aviation Units, one Transport Company, level-II Hospital, Engineer and de-mining company with a total strength of - 1,542 men. In Haiti presently Pakistan has two companies formed of police units, comprising 250 personnel. In Kosovo Pakistan has provided civilian Police Contingent comprising 115 personnel. Its Headquarters in Pristine the mission in Kosovo was established in December 2006. In East Timor 195 personnel of formal police unit formed part of UN mission which was established in November 2004. Presently 129 Pakistani Military Observers and 63 Staff Officers are also deployed on 14 UN missions. These observers and staff officers are deployed in Congo, Sierra Leone, East Timor, Liberia, Georgia, Ivory Coast, Western Sahara, Kosovo, Sudan, UN Headquarters New York, Haiti, Ethiopia, Darfur and Brundi.


Pakistani Army soldiers have also been involved in major crimes during the peacekeeping missions. Pakistani U.N. peacekeepers sentenced in Haiti rape case. There is a general concern that Pathans of Pakistani Army are known for homosexuality. A United Nations inquiry has confirmed that a Pakistani peacekeeper in the Democratic Republic of Congo was involved in smuggling gold. A Pakistani contingent was accused of selling gold and guns between 2005 and 2006 to Congolese militia groups they were meant to disarm.