Brilliant Pak faujj not like the indus, who the British forces especially the SAS, said the indus were the most sorry example of soldiers they had ever seen
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/biggrin.gif
And their GOC had no eye-brows
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http://allafrica.com/stories/200204050726.html
Standard Point Going the Extra Mile
Standard Times (Freetown)
EDITORIAL
April 5, 2002
Posted to the web April 5, 2002
Freetown
When the names of peacekeepers whose immense contributions ended the decade old war which constituted the greatest headache for every peace loving Sierra Leonean shall be written, the Pakistani Battalion in the United Nations Mission by virtue of their unflinching support and commitment to peace in this country shall be among the most prominent.
An assessment visit to the devastated District of Kono where they have been deployed since July last year speaks volumes. It is worth noting however that at the time of their deployment in Kono and Kailahun not a single Revolutionary United Front rebel or Civil Defence Force member had been disarmed. So judging from the unpredictable nature of both forces, Kono and Kailahun being RUF strongholds were regarded as extremely dangerous grounds. It required the courage of the Pakistanis to enter those areas and commence preparations for disarmament of the more than 15,000 combatants.
It took PAKBATT almost two and a half months to effectively disarm the RUF/CDF fighters, but even during the disarmament exercise there were some skirmishes between the two sworn enemies in September over mining rights, which could have derailed the entire peace process, but for the swift intervention of the Pakistanis. Again in December 2001, a clash between the Movement of Concerned Kono Youths (MOCKY) and the CDF versus the RUF ensued. That conflict had a greater potential to reverse the gains towards peace, had it not been that the gallant Pakistani forces had already completed disarmed the fighters.
The role of PAKBATT in arresting the situation was extremely crucial because they went the extra mile. The UN mandate to their peacekeepers is to stay out of danger and be able to pull out if things got worse. But our brothers and sisters from Pakistan stood their ground and ensured that normalcy was achieved within the quickest possible time.
In addition to their peace keeping role is the Distinct humanitarian gestures toward the hungry and traumatized population of Kono. The Engineering Division of PAKBATT has made a laudable contribution in the area of road rehabilitation. Travellers to the District are presently full of praises and appreciation for the wonderful repairs on the extremely rugged stretch between Masingbe in the North and Koidu by the PAKBATT engineers.
Imported eggs and other food stuff are currently going at a reduced rate and most business people in Koidu attribute it mainly to the Pakistanis, many of whom willingly give away part of their food rations to the starving masses.
Along with those mentioned is the offer of free medical services, with about six centres now located in various parts of the District. The medicines thus supplied are paid for by the contingent. This has greatly assisted the poor in receiving medical attention, which would have been otherwise unattainable. Certain accident victims can also testify of the way their lives were saved through the free medical services.
But “all work and no play makes Jack a dull and lazy boy”, so the peacekeepers are able to find time for recreation inspite of their busy schedule. One way in which they have ensured this is through their cultural performances, which attracts most of the local population. Pakistani rhythms and dances are a crowd puller in Koidu town and it has helped a lot in putting trauma away from many people, especially children. Some senior officials of PAKBATT also organise football matches between the RUF/CDF as a way of enhancing peace, mutal trust and confidence. In pursuance of their desire to develop football, the contingent has brought in more than 5000 world class Adidas footballs, most of which are now being distributed to clubs in the District free of cost.
The Pakistani soldiers by all indications have special interest in the happiness and welfare of children. That was why they created an entertainment park for children close to the devastated Community Centre in Koidu. The park, which is the first of its kind in the District cost PAKBATT more than US$1,000 and provides fun for the war-weary children under adequate care and security by the soldiers.
The Catholic Church on the Koidu Girls Secondary School campus where, PAKBATT is based has also been thoroughly refurbished and an average of 200 or more Catholics attend mass there regularly. Perhaps in a bid to prevent being accused of religious bias, the Pakistani Battalion also constructed a Mosque about 100 yards from their base to provide the facility for Muslim worshippers.
These may be modest gestures when compared to the broader needs of Kono District, but the people out there are particularly grateful because the Pakistanis have come a long way to help them in these trying times.
Government should have understood by now that the people of Kono are in need of humanitarian assistance in all the areas in which the Pakistani soldiers are helping. Unfortunately politics and re-election has taken over the need to alleviate the plight of the people. Therefore their appreciation goes to their friends in need, the Pakistanis who are now gong the extra mile in sustaining the peace.
This shows the quality of Pak Jawaans, some of the best soldeirs in the world.
PAKISTAN PAINDABAD