With Pakistan-India tensions soaring over Kashmir, Islamabad has urged the United Nations to expand its military observer group to enhancing monitoring of the situation in the disputed territory.
The UN Military Observer Mission in India and Pakistan, commonly known as UNMOGIP, is tasked with monitoring and reporting incidents along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir.
“This (UNMOGIP) needs to be expanded to respond to existing threats and realities,” Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi, permanent representative of Pakistan told the UN Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations on Monday.
The UNMOGIP, she noted, has been a “critical factor for stability” in the region.
Photo: Pakistan Ambassador to UN Maleeha Lodhi Facebook
In recent weeks, Pakistan has reported several deaths from Indian firing in the disputed region.
The world body’s special committee provides a platform for all stakeholders of peacekeeping – the U.N.’s flagship activity — troop and police contributors, financial contributors, Security Council members and the UN Secretariat.
Ambassador Lodhi also underlined that peace depended on addressing the root causes of conflicts.
“Peacekeeping needs to be strengthened through support for political solutions and mediation processes,” she said. “The goal of protection of civilians is best served by preventing the outbreak of armed conflicts in the first place, addressing the root causes of conflicts, and finding inclusive political solutions to disputes.”
