The first batch of Pakistan Army troops left here on Saturday to perform peacekeeping duties under the aegis of United Nations Mission in Congo. According to an ISPR release here on Saturday, Brigadier Tariq Minhas bade them farewell at the Allama Iqbal International Airport, prior to their departure on a UN Chartered aircraft here on Saturday morning.
The batch comprises about 200 military personnel, including major component of infantry and a sizeable strength of supporting arms that will relieve troops who arrive home on completion of their tenure of duty as part of the rotation plan.
Democratic Republic of Congo, a strife-torn African country with a population of six million people, has suffered from almost four decades of intense factional fighting encouraged by its eastern neighbours.
The UN peace-keeping force was approved for Congo as a result of UN Security Council resolution 1291 of February 24, 2000.
At present, around 10 countries are contributing their troops. Pakistan Army has been inducted in the mission to fulfil the assigned task of maintaining peace and order in an unfortunate country ravaged by dissidents belonging to different feuding tribes.
This is the second time in last fifty years that Pakistan Army component has formed part of the UN peace-keeping Mission to Congo. The first being in 1960.
Pakistan has made dedicated contributions towards peacekeeping ever since its independence and its valiant troops are internationally acclaimed for devotion, determination and professionalism in achieving peace-building objectives.
The Pakistan Army has formed part of the major UN peacekeeping missions in Somalia, Combodia, Haiti, Bosnia, Eastern Slovenia, East Timor, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Burundi.
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