Pakistani peacekeeper honoured posthumously with UN medal

NEW YORK - Naik Muhammad Naeem Raza, a soldier of Pakistan army, made the supreme sacrifice while serving in the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

Raza, who embraced martyrdom on January 27, 2018, was awarded prestigious Dag Hammarskjold medal by UN Secretary-General, António Guterres.

The award was received by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN, Maleeha Lodhi, during a solemn ceremony held at UN Headquarters in New York to commemorate the International Day of Peacekeepers.

Speaking after the ceremony, Ambassador Lodhi said that she was humbled and honoured to receive this award for Shaheed Muhammad Naeem Raza.

“This award of the Dag Hammarskjold medal to our hero is a recognition by the UN secretary general of the sacrifice, dedication and professionalism of Pakistan’s peacekeepers”, she added.

During the ceremony, 119 brave individuals were honoured for making the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty to uphold international peace and security in 2018 and early 2019.

The awardees included military and police personnel, international civil servants, and UN staff from 38 countries serving in 12 different UN Peacekeeping Operations around the world.

Pakistan has a proud tradition of participating in UN peacekeeping and has consistently been ranked among the world’s top troop contributors. The country has contributed over 200,000 troops to 46 UN peacekeeping mission over the last six decades.

“Pakistani peacekeepers”, Ambassador Lodhi said, “continue to serve UN peacekeeping missions with distinction and fly the flag of Pakistan high”.

“Their sacrifices are a testimony to Pakistan’s commitment to upholding international peace and security”, she added.