Pakistan stands as one of the most significant contributors to United Nations peacekeeping operations globally, with a distinguished record spanning over six decades of service to international peace and security.
As the International Day of UN Peacekeepers is observed today, May 29, 2025, Pakistan’s commitment is exemplified by its current deployment of over 3,800 military and police personnel across multiple missions worldwide, ranking as the fifth largest contributor to UN peace operations.
The nation’s peacekeeping legacy includes participation in 41 missions across 23 countries, with more than 150,000 Pakistani peacekeepers having served since the first deployment to Congo in 1960, though this service has come at the cost of 170 Pakistani peacekeepers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
Pakistan’s peacekeeping personnel are currently deployed across seven major UN operations, demonstrating the country’s commitment to global peace and security in diverse geographical and operational contexts. Pakistani peacekeepers serve in Abyei, the Central African Republic, Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, and Western Sahara, providing critical military and police capabilities in some of the world’s most challenging environments.
This widespread deployment reflects Pakistan’s willingness to contribute to peace efforts across different continents and conflict types, from traditional peacekeeping missions to complex multidimensional operations involving civilian protection, institution building, and post-conflict reconstruction.
Furthermore, the recent leadership transition in the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) underscores Pakistan’s continued engagement with UN peacekeeping. In December 2024, Major-General Ramon Guardado Sanchez of Mexico was appointed UNMOGIP chief, meeting with Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Munir Akram before assuming his role. However, Established UNMOGIP in 1949, monitors the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir.
Strategic Rise: Pakistan’s Role in Global Peace and Security
Pakistan’s peacekeeping contributions have evolved significantly since the nation’s first deployment to Congo in 1960, reflecting both the changing nature of international conflicts and Pakistan’s growing expertise in peace operations.
Also represents a substantial commitment of national resources to international peace and security. This commitment is particularly noteworthy given Pakistan’s own security challenges and demonstrates the country’s belief in multilateral approaches to conflict resolution and international stability.
However, the human cost of this commitment cannot be understated, with 170 Pakistani peacekeepers having made the ultimate sacrifice during decades of participation in UN peace operations.
This figure represents not only individual tragedies but also reflects the dangerous and challenging environments in which Pakistani peacekeepers operate, often serving in active conflict zones where they face significant risks while working to protect civilian populations and support peace processes.
The annual recognition of fallen peacekeepers, including the recent posthumous honoring of Muhammad Zafar Abbas, serves as a reminder of the courage and dedication required for effective peacekeeping service.
Pakistan’s Current Leadership in UN Peacekeeping Operations
Pakistan’s influence in UN peacekeeping goes beyond troop contributions to key leadership roles. Faisal Shahkar has served as the UN Police Adviser since October 2022, appointed by Secretary-General António Guterres. With over 30 years of national and international experience including as Pakistan’s Inspector General of Police and Additional Inspector in Punjab, he brings deep expertise.
His nine years of UN service include leadership roles in the United Nations Standing Police Capacity (2020–21) and missions in Liberia (UNMIL) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIBH).
Moreover, the appointment of Pakistani officers to senior UN roles underscores global confidence in Pakistan’s peacekeeping leadership. Major General Zia Ur Rehman led MINURSO as Force Commander from 2019 to 2022 and was honored with a farewell military parade. He brought 30 years of military leadership, including experience as a Military Observer in MONUC.
Field Operations and Recent Recognitions
Pakistani peacekeepers continue to demonstrate exceptional service in challenging operational environments, with recent recognition highlighting their contributions to civilian protection and humanitarian assistance.
In May 2024, 272 Pakistani peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in Bentiu received prestigious UN medals for their outstanding performance in protecting 300,000 people from catastrophic floods.
These peacekeepers worked tirelessly for over a year to build and maintain dikes that prevented 5,600 square kilometers of floodwaters from engulfing the Bentiu Internally Displaced Person camp and surrounding infrastructure. Major Saad Sultan, serving as operation officer, was among 23 blue helmets awarded the Force Commander Commendation Card for their exceptional service under challenging conditions.
The tragic reality of peacekeeping service was also acknowledged in 2024 when Muhammad Zafar Abbas, a Pakistani civilian working for the Office of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, was posthumously honored with the Dag Hammarskjold medal as part of a ceremony recognizing 64 UN peacekeepers who lost their lives in service.
Female Pakistani Officers in UN Peacekeeping Missions
Pakistan’s commitment to gender equality in peacekeeping operations has gained significant international recognition, particularly through the exemplary service of female officers who have broken barriers and set new benchmarks for inclusive peacekeeping. Recent awards and deployments underscore Pakistan’s leadership in advancing the UN’s Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda.
Major Sania Safdar and Major Komal Masood emerged as prominent figures in 2024 when they became the first Pakistani female peacekeepers to receive the UN’s Gender Advocacy Award, a prestigious accolade recognizing their efforts to integrate gender perspectives into peacekeeping operations.
Major Sania Safdar, deployed with the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Cyprus (UNFICYP), focused on fostering community dialogue between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot women, organizing joint workshops on conflict resolution and women’s economic empowerment.
Her initiatives led to the establishment of a cross-community women’s cooperative, which remains operational as of 2025. Major Komal Masood, stationed in the Central African Republic (CAR), developed a gender-sensitive patrolling framework that increased women’s participation in local security councils by 40% during her deployment. Her work included training 150 CAR security personnel on preventing conflict-related sexual violence.
Following her return from CAR in 2024, Major Komal Masood transitioned to a leadership role at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA), where she now trains 17 female cadets, including two from Bangladesh. Her curriculum emphasizes gender-responsive leadership, drawing directly from her UN experience.
“The skills I honed in conflict zones—mediation, cultural sensitivity, and adaptive decision-making—are now shaping Pakistan’s future military leaders”
Major Komal Masood stated in a January 2025 interview.
Furthermore, Major Hina Affan, a Pakistani Military Observer with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), is stationed in Juba, where she monitors ceasefire agreements, engages with conflicting parties, and reports on security in Central Equatoria.
She coordinates patrols and facilitates communication between local authorities, armed groups, and UNMISS leadership to prevent violence and protect civilians. Her work upholds UNMISS’s civilian protection and conflict monitoring mandate, requiring keen negotiation and cultural sensitivity. Her service highlights the growing role of Pakistani female officers in peacekeeping and Pakistan’s commitment to gender inclusive operations.
She shares her message with The Diplomatic Insight:
“It is a great honor for the unsung heroes in Blue Helmets to serve as peacekeepers under the UN flag. Their unwavering commitment and immense sacrifices in maintaining global peace and security deserve the highest tribute. The world honors their splendid dedication, as these valiant UN peacekeepers work tirelessly across the globe to bring hope to conflict torn regions. The peace and progress of many nations and indeed the world are deeply indebted to the unimaginable commitment and relentless spirit of these brave souls.”
Pakistan Hits UN Target for Female Peacekeepers
Pakistan achieved the UN’s 15% female participation target in peacekeeping missions by 2019, a milestone highlighted by Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi during her address to the UN Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations. This rapid progress from zero female staff officers in 2017 to meeting the benchmark within 18 months, reflects systemic reforms, including:
- Pre-Deployment Training: Gender modules integrated into courses at the Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS) in Islamabad, which has trained 39 female peacekeepers since 2019.
- Female Engagement Teams (FETs): Pakistan pioneered FET deployments, with teams operational in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since 2019 and the Central African Republic since 2020. These units specialize in community outreach, particularly in conservative societies where male peacekeepers face cultural barriers to engaging with local women.
- However, the deployment of female officers has tangibly improved mission outcomes. In South Sudan, Pakistani FETs increased women’s participation in community security meetings from 12% to 35% between 2022 and 2024. In Cyprus, Major Sania Safdar efforts led to the first joint statement by Greek and Turkish Cypriot women’s groups on shared security concerns, a breakthrough cited in the UN Secretary-General’s 2024 report on UNFICYP.
Notable Female Peacekeepers and Their Contributions
Furthermore; other notable female peacekeepers & their contribution are below:
- Major Samia Rehman: Awarded a UN Certificate of Appreciation in 2019 for her work in the DRC, where she mediated the release of 15 child soldiers and established a vocational center for survivors of gender-based violence.
- Major Sadia Malik: Member of the UN Integrated Training Team since 2020, responsible for developing scenario-based exercises used in peacekeeper training programs across 12 UN missions.
- Captain Aroof Arif: Recognized for completing the arduous Dancon March, a 25 km tactical endurance test while deployed in Sudan, becoming the first Pakistani woman to earn the march’s prestigious medal.
This comprehensive account of Pakistan’s contributions to UN peacekeeping reveals a story of resilience, strategic commitment, and transformative leadership. While the growing inclusion of women in complex field roles marks a historic shift, the dedication of Pakistan’s male officers who have long stood on the frontlines of global peace efforts remains equally commendable.
From the flood-ravaged zones of South Sudan to mediation efforts in Cyprus, from post-conflict reconstruction in the Central African Republic to vital command roles across UN missions, Pakistani peacekeepers men and women alike serve with professionalism, courage, and compassion in some of the world’s most volatile regions.
What stands out most is Pakistan’s ability to combine operational excellence with a people-centered approach, whether through gender-sensitive strategies, community engagement, or mentoring the next generation of peace leaders. The leadership positions held by Pakistani officers in the UN system, and the international accolades they continue to receive, underscore the country’s growing influence in shaping global peacekeeping standards.
The human cost of this commitment is a solemn reminder of the immense risks peacekeepers face. Yet, their bravery and selfless service define Pakistan’s legacy in UN peace operations.
Aroosa Salahuddin
Managing Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
Aroosa has extensive experience in media, public relations, project management, and strategic communications. With an MPhil in Strategic Studies and a specialization in Pakistan’s digital diplomacy, Aroosa has worked with influential national and international organizations. Her expertise spans advocacy, crisis communication, digital strategy, and stakeholder engagement.
