United Nations observes 76th anniversary today

The 76th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations will be observed on Sunday, October 24. 

The United Nations officially came into existence on October 24, 1945, when the UN Charter, agreed four months earlier, came into force.

The United Nations Day was first observed on 24 October 1948, celebrates the ratification of the U.N. Charter about three (3) years earlier.

Each year the United Nations is an opportunity to observe UN Day. 

Starting out with 51 original members, there are now 193, with South Sudan the latest to join in 2011.

"The United Nations has spanned the decades helping millions of people to escape the yoke of poverty, gain access to education and health, have their fundamental rights respected, and enjoy better livelihoods," it said in a statement.

UN peacekeeping mission is one of the most conspicuous and effective activities of the UN, intended to sustain peace. 

Pakistan became a member of the UN on September 30, 1947. 

Pakistan has actively participated in UN peacekeeping efforts in different parts of the world. It is one of the largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping personnel in the world. 

 Pakistan has participated in 70 missions globally. 

The Pakistan Armed Forces rank third, by currently making a contribution to UN missions in Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Pakistan's first completed UN peacekeeping mission began in 1960 in Congo and ended in 1964.

Pakistan's second completed UN peacekeeping mission began in 1962 in West New Guinea and ended in 1963.

Pakistan's third successful UN peacekeeping mission began in 1989 in Namibia and ended in 1990. Pakistan's fourth successful UN peacekeeping mission began in 1991 in Kuwait and ended in 1993. Pakistan's fifth successful UN peacekeeping mission began in 1993 in Haiti and ended in 1996.

Pakistan's sixth successful UN peacekeeping mission began in Cambodia in 1992 and ended in 1993. Pakistan's seventh successful UN peacekeeping mission began in Bosnia in 1992 and ended in 1996. Pakistan's eight successful UN peacekeeping missions began in Somalia in 1992 and ended in 1996.

Pakistan's ninth successful UN peacekeeping mission began in Rwanda in 1993 and ended in 1996. Pakistan's tenth successful UN peacekeeping mission began in Angola in 1995 and ended in 1997. Pakistan's eleventh successful UN peacekeeping mission began in Eastern Slavonia in 1996 and ended in 1997.

Pakistan's twelfth successful UN peacekeeping mission began in Sierra Leone in 1999 and ended in 2005.

In September, this year, UN Peacekeeping Exercise “Shared Destiny-2021” was conducted at Queshan Training Base of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.

According to a statement released by the ISPR, troops from Pakistan, China, Mongolia and Thailand participated in the multinational event.

The exercise focused on training for operations executed by UN peacekeepers in different missions.

The participation of the Pakistani contingent, their level of expertise and Pakistan’s continued large-scale contribution to UN peacekeeping operations was greatly appreciated by all the participants. 

The leaders from the globe expressed gratitude to Pakistan and its people for what they did and have been doing for international peace and security.

Former UN Secretary General ban Ki-Moon once said, "I sense great confidence and hope here today. But the feelings that overwhelm me is gratitude: gratitude as the United Nations Secretary General and gratitude as a global citizen for what Pakistan and her people have been doing for international peace and security. More than 100 countries contribute troops and police for United Nations peacekeeping missions. Pakistan Is number one. It is impossible to speak about the history of United Nations peacekeeping without highlighting such contributions of Pakistan. I thank you very much."

Kofi Annan said, "Your soldiers have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the world peace and the United Nations. I salute this record of global idealism because I believe it reflects a determination among the Pakistani people to serve the world."

Major General Thomas M. Montgomery said, "Many of the soldiers are alive today because of the willingness and skill of the Pakistani soldiers who worked jointly in a rescue operation. We are thankful to the people and army of Pakistan for sending such splendid soldiers to Somalia whom we feel proud to serve with. Pakistan soldiers have been completely dependable even in the most difficult circumstances. They have shouldered a huge and dangerous load of UNOSOM and the Somali people."

President Soekarno said, "It was because of Pakistan troops that Indonesia and Pakistan came close together, they were Pakistan’s best ambassadors."

Lakhdar Brahimi said. "It gives me great pleasure to express my warmest congratulation and sincere admiration for the splendid work the officers and men of Pakistani battalion have done all over Haiti."

Miss Dijanana Islamovic “Ratni Haber” (Editor Bosnian News Magazine) said, "Pakistan has not only protected us but has also infused a new spirit into our lives. They have given us all sorts of humanitarian help and above all have given us constant medical care in from of their hospital."

Paul Klein said, "I wish to reaffirm my gratitude and appreciation for the professionalism, the Pakistani contingent has displayed during a stay in Eastern Slavonia. They are indeed performing great services to humanity."

Chinese first premier Zhou Enlai said," The only example in UN history, when a UN military force had gone in, performed its role honestly and came out was Pakistan’s military contingent in Indonesia (West Irian)."

Last, but not least, the founding father of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah once said in his famous statement: "Our foreign policy is one of the friendliness and goodwill towards all nations of the world. We believe in the principle of honesty and fair play in national and international dealings and are prepared to make our utmost contribution to the promotion of peace and prosperity among the nations of the world. Pakistan will never be found lacking in extending its material and moral support to the oppressed and suppressed people of the world and in upholding the principle of the United Nations Charter.”