Pakistan is actively considering to set up Peacekeeping Training Institute in Islamabad to impart required skills to the forces from abroad, said Minister of State for Defence Zahid Hamid. Pakistan has received requests for training from many countries seeking to benefit from Pakistan's experience in peacekeeping and in providing humanitarian assistance, he said while talking to APP here on Tuesday.
Zahid Hamid said, "we have already developed a curriculum for such training which can be tailored to meet the requirements of specific missions - peacekeeping, peace enforcement and peace building." Pakistan has a wealth of experience in this regard, which it would share with prospective peacekeepers from other countries by giving training at the institute, he said.
"Over 42,000 Pakistani military personnel have performed peacekeeping duties in highly unfavourable conditions like conflicts, disasters, and natural calamities and this vast experience could be utilised for training purposes. The ability of Pakistan armed forces to react quickly, efficiently and effectively in such humanitarian emergencies has been amply demonstrated on a number of occasions," he said.
Referring to his recent visit to Singapore where he attended the 4th Asia Conference organised by Institute of International Strategic Studies UK, Zahid Hamid said, he had an opportunity to discuss the proposal for such an institute with a number of ministers of defence of the countries like USA, UK, Australia, Singapore, Japan, New Zealand, Korea and Malaysia.
These officials welcomed the proposal while appreciating the role of Pakistan in the peacekeeping operations under the UN umbrella, he said.
"Pakistan is proud to be one of the oldest and most consistent contributors to UN peacekeeping operations. Out of 60 peacekeeping missions undertaken by the UN since 1948, Pakistan troops have served in 38 missions," he said. He said Pakistan's contribution has continued to increase over the years and it now provides the largest number of UN peacekeepers.
Presently, he said 9400 personnel are performing peacekeeping duties in nine different missions in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. "The number of Pakistani peacekeepers is expected to cross 10,000 mark after deployment is completed in Sudan later this year," he said.
Zahid Hamid said, Pakistani contributions to UN peacekeeping missions have been acknowledged and appreciated by Secretary General Kofi Annan, who during his last visit to Pakistan lauded the country's role saying "it reflects a determination among the Pakistani people to serve the world." He said Pakistan's diverse experience of peacekeeping has been overwhelming positive as the contingents have been outstandingly disciplined and trained, led by professional and competent officers.
The Pakistani contingent for the UN Assistance Mission in Sierra Leone has been cited by the UN Peacekeeping Headquarters as "Role Model for all UN Missions." Answering a question, Zahid Hamid said, Pakistan is considering creating its own strategic military reserves with enhanced capacity.
"We have conveyed to the UN Secretariat our willingness to place one fully-equipped Brigade in readiness for deployment at short notice in any mission area identified by the UN," he said.
Giving details about his meetings with the defence ministers from other countries, on the sidelines of Singapore Conference, he said, they conveyed high regards Pakistan for its role in the war against terror.