UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has praised Pakistan’s valuable contribution to international peace and security at a glittering Pakistan Day reception in New York.
“Pakistan plays an important role at the UN,” he said while briefly speaking to Pakistani journalists at the largely attended reception hosted by Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi. The UN chief especially paid tributes to Pakistani peacekeepers serving in several UN missions, noting that some of them had made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of peace.
With 7,136 troops, Pakistan is among the world’s top three countries with largest peacekeepers deployed in UN missions around the world. Since 1960, over 1,69,000 Pakistani personnel have served with professionalism and distinction in 23 countries and 41 UN missions. On arrival, the UN chief was received by Ambassador Maleeha and senior officials of the Pakistan Mission.
Guterres was conducted to some of displays set up to project Pakistan’s history, culture and its contribution to the UN. Also displayed were the photographs of Pakistani women who have excelled in their respective professions. “I am familiar with Pakistan’s history, having read some books about the country,” the UN chief remarked when he saw portraits of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
He also said that he knew Pakistan well as he made several visits to the country in his capacity as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Over one hundred ambassadors to UN attended the reception. They included China, Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Russia, Australia, India and a number of ambassadors from Latin America and Arab countries. Also present were senior UN officials and members of the Pakistani community.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Maleeha spoke about the significance of the day and highlighted the role and contribution of Pakistan at the US. “As a steadfast advocate for the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, including the right to self-determination of people living under foreign occupation, Pakistan has championed the ideals of human dignity and respect at the international stage,” she said.
“In many conflict zones across the world, the sapling of peace has been nourished by the ultimate sacrifice of Pakistani peacekeepers,” she said. “Pakistan is proud of the service of our blue helmets,” she said. She told the audience that Pakistan had achieved a major turnaround in the security and economic domains, pointing out that people’s resilience remained its greatest strength.
“A functioning democracy, an independent judiciary, vibrant media and an active civil society, provide the necessary foundations for Pakistan’s long-term progress and prosperity,” she said. “Pakistan is home to one of the world’s oldest civilisations – Mohenjo Daro, Harappa and Taxila,” she said. “They stand as abiding testimonies to the indelible imprint that my land and its people have left over ages on humanity’s march towards progress and development,” she said.
“From the forbidding heights of the Himalayas to the scenic plains and the vast wilderness of our deserts, Pakistan is a kaleidoscope of diverse colours, languages and climates,” she said. “Yet, despite our differences, we are unified by the love of our land, an indomitable spirit and sense of solidarity to help navigate the complex pathways of life,” she said.
The reception was rounded off with a soul-stirring rendition of “Dil, Dil, Pakistan” by Imran Ahmed, a young Pakistani student of journalism at the Columbia University.