UNGA president lauds Pakistani peacekeepers

RAWALPINDI (92 News) – United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Maria Fernanda Espinosa paid rich tribute to sacrifices rendered by Pakistani peacekeepers for global peace and security. Maria Fernanda is on her official visit to Pakistan on five-day. During her visit to Center for International peace and stability (CIPS) on Monday, she has acknowledged Pakistan’s meritorious contributions to the UN peacekeeping missions. While interacting with faculty members and students of National University of Science and Technology (NUST) during her visit to the university, she termed it one of the largest countries to have contributed to bringing peace in areas marred by insecurity and unrest. “Pakistani troops have saved many lives under the UN umbrella,” she said. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the delegation paid tribute to 156 Pakistani peacekeepers who sacrificed their lives in the noble cause of humanity and restoring peace and stability in different regions. On her arrival, she was welcomed by National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) Rector Lieutenant General (retd) Naveed Zaman. Pakistan’s Ambassador and Permanent representative to the UN, Dr Maleeha Lodhi was also present during the visit. It is pertinent to mention here that the ISPR also said that CIPS was established in 2013 to provide peacekeeping training to domestic and international peacekeepers and was inaugurated by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. “Pursuing a long history with UN Peacekeeping since 1960’s Pakistan has been wholeheartedly supporting UN in Peacekeeping in more than 44 missions.”

Pakistan demands UN resolutions on Kashmir issue

Earlier, Pakistan has demanded that implementation of the UN resolutions on the Kashmir issue should be ensured. Addressing a press conference with the UNGA President Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Indian violations on the Line of Control (LoC) are continuing. The UNGA president said that Pakistan’s role in the Afghan peace process is very important. “We will jointly face the challenges of environmental changes,” she said. The UNGA president also met with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi at Foreign Office. During the meeting, the foreign minister said that a vibrant and strengthened the UN can help to resolve issues through collected efforts. Both the sides discussed regional and international issues including Kashmir in the meeting. Qureshi expressed grave concern over the human rights violations in occupied Kashmir by Indian security forces. He stressed to implement the UN Security Council’s Resolutions for the early settlement of Kashmir dispute. During the visit, Ms Espinosa will also call on the President Dr Arif Alvi and  Prime Minister Imran Khan. This is her first visit to any Asian country as the president of UNGA. Espinosa will call on President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan. Apart from official engagements, the UNGA president will also meet members of Women Parliamentary Caucus, Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and visit Pakistan’s Peacekeeping Training Center.