USA: United Nations held annual Candlelight vigil and a grand ceremony-2023 in memory of the UN’s fallen peace soldiers including seven Pakistanis. 

UN Scretary General, President Security Council and President General Assembly graced the ceremony.

UN Secretay General Antonio Guterre in his opening remarks said, “In the name of those we have lost, we resolve to continue our mission, pledge to support families and commit to continually review and improve the safety, care and wellbeing of our staff and we vow to keep the memories of our colleagues alive. In our thoughts, in out hearts and in our work to build a life of dignity and hope for all” .

7 Pakistanis who rendered their lives in UN global peace mission were amongst Muhammad Ismail, Faizan Ali, Asif Ali Away, Samiullah Khan, Muhammad Saad Nomani, Muhammad Jameel Khan and Babar Siddique

On 29 March 2022, Muhammad Ismail, Faizan Ali, Asif Ali Awan, Samiullah Khan, Muhammad Saad Nomani and Muhammad Jamil Khan, six peacekeepers from Pakistan; Aleksei Miziura, a peacekeeper from the Russian Federation; and Dejan Stanojevic, a peacekeeper from Serbia, all of them serving with MONUSCO, lost their lives in a helicopter crash in the east of the country. The MONUSCO helicopter that crashed in the Tshanzu area, 20 kilometres south of Rutshuru, in North Kivu, was part of a surveillance and reconnaissance mission, carried out in an area where clashes had taken place between the M23 militia and the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

On 30 September 2022, Babar Siddique, a peacekeeper from Pakistan serving with MONUSCO, was killed in an attack on the Mission’s operational base in Minembwe, South Kivu, by suspected members of the Twirwaneho armed group.

Ambassador Munir Akram Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN attended the ceremony.

Widow of Martyred Maj Faizan Ali, Dr. Mariam Aamir came to attend and represent families of martyred soldiers.

She met the Secretary-General and other Dignitaries at the occasion. She also met Ambassador Munir Akram Permanent Representative of the United Nations
and gave her Medal in honor of services.

Widow of Martyred Maj Faizan Ali, Dr. Mariam Aamir thanked the Secretary-General for the acknowledgement and resolved to continue to contribute with resilience towards peace and security.

The post UN holds anual candlelight vigil in memory of fallen peace heroes including 7 Pakistanis first appeared on VOSA.

This post was originally published on VOSA.