“Investing in peace today requires technological and structural development,” ISPR says
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday that Pakistan joined the international community in paying tribute to the brave men and women serving under the UN flag on the occasion of UN Peacekeeping Day.
In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the day, observed annually around the world, recognizes the invaluable services and sacrifices rendered by military, police and civilian peacekeepers deployed in conflict-affected regions in pursuit of global peace and security.
This year’s commemoration will be celebrated under the theme “Investing in Peace”, underscoring the critical importance of sustained political commitment and financial support to the promotion of lasting peace and the protection of human life worldwide, the statement added.
“The day also commemorates the establishment of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), the first ever UN peacekeeping mission, which began operations in Palestine in 1948,” he said.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s message on the UN International Day of Peacekeepers, 29 May 2026.
Today, Pakistan joins the international community in paying tribute to the brave men and women serving under the United Nations flag on the occasion of the International… pic.twitter.com/JYSpl15PRY
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) May 29, 2026
Prime Minister Shehbaz said: “Throughout peacekeeping history, more than two million men and women have served in over 70 UN peacekeeping missions around the world. Pakistan remains among the longest-serving and leading contributors to UN peacekeeping operations”.
Through their dedicated service, troop-contributing countries continue to play a critical role in maintaining international peace and security, reflecting the collective commitment to peace as a shared global priority, he added.
Since 1960, Pakistan has contributed more than 235,000 personnel to over 48 UN peacekeeping missions, including more than 500 female peacekeepers. It is a matter of immense national pride that Pakistan today stands as the fifth largest contributor to UN peacekeeping operations.
The Prime Minister said brave peacekeepers serving across the globe had made extraordinary sacrifices in the service of humanity and global stability. He said the UN peacekeepers’ unwavering dedication to peace was exemplified by the ultimate sacrifice made by more than 4,400 personnel who had lost their lives in the line of duty, including over 181 Pakistani peacekeepers.
Pakistan is immensely proud of its martyrs and in all the brave sons and daughters who continue to serve with exceptional professionalism, commitment and determination in promoting peace, stability and protection of vulnerable communities in various regions of the world, he added.
The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to further strengthen global peace efforts through active participation in UN peacekeeping missions.
“The country’s continued contribution reflected its continuing commitment to international peace and security as well as to the principles of multilateralism,” the statement concluded.
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Meanwhile, the military’s media wing said that “Pakistan paid tribute to the invaluable contributions and ultimate sacrifices made by the ‘blue helmets’ for the sacred cause of global peace on the occasion of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers 2026”.
In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Pakistan’s association with UN peacekeeping has crossed six decades, reflecting the country’s steadfast commitment to international peace.
According to the ISPR, since 1960, more than 237,000 Pakistani peacekeepers have served in UN missions worldwide, while 183 Pakistani personnel have sacrificed their lives in the service of UN peacekeeping.
“Pakistani Blue Helmets are currently deployed in high-risk theaters including the Democratic Republic of the Congo under MONUSCO, South Sudan under UNMISS, and the Central African Republic under MINUSCA, where they conduct a wide range of multidimensional operations ranging from active military operations to combating climate-driven challenges,” the statement added.
The ISPR said that contemporary war zones had been transformed and became increasingly unstable, complex and asymmetric. It said peacekeepers today face hybrid threats, including cyber security risks, digital disinformation campaigns, political division and climate-induced humanitarian emergencies.
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The statement noted that the 2026 theme, “Investing in Peace,” emphasized a critical paradigm shift from reactive conflict management to proactive peacekeeping.
“Investing in peace today requires technological and structural development. We must invest in advanced intelligence architecture, robust civil protection mechanisms and climate-resilient operational frameworks to effectively protect vulnerable populations,” the statement said.
The Government of Pakistan and its armed forces reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the ideas and objectives of UN peacekeeping operations by investing in peace through a multifaceted commitment that includes human capital, advanced training facilities and systemic capacity building, ISPR said.
“On this honored and proud occasion, Pakistan stands resolutely with the United Nations and reminds the global community that lasting peace is not a guaranteed phenomenon but requires continuous, collective investment,” the statement added.
Pakistan also reiterated its fundamental resolve to act as a vanguard for international stability, security and humanitarian relief under the UN flag, the statement concluded.
