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the UN Department of Peace Keeping Operations (DPKO) will further allocate the Punjab police candidates posts lying vacant in 15 countries where the troops and personnel of uniformed forces from over 190 UN member-countries, including Pakistan, have been cooperating in maintaining international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace. It may be noted here that the DPKO provides political and executive direction to the UN peacekeeping operations around the world and maintains contact with the Security Council, troops and financial contributors, and parties to the conflict in the implementation of Security Council’s mandates. The DPKO also provides guidance and support on military, police, mine action and other relevant issues to other UN political and peace-building missions. According to the statistics, there are almost 120,000 military, police and civilian personnel serving on 15 peacekeeping operations and one special political mission, all led by the DPKO. In addition to maintaining peace and security, the peacekeepers are increasingly charged with assisting in political processes; reforming judicial systems; training law enforcement and police forces; disarming and reintegrating former combatants; supporting the return of internally displaced persons and refugees. According to the situation, one who is selected for UN Mission obtains minimum Rs4 million from the DPKO besides gaining international exposure. He/she also draws regular salary and other perks and privileges from local police department throughout the era he/she serves in any foreign country. Punjab Police Headquarters’ DIG and former Lahore CCPO Muhammad Aslam Tareen, who is the competent authority in the final selection of the UN Mission candidates from the Punjab police, told this scribe on Tuesday that 150 candidates have been selected from Punjab. He said this would be a fruitful experience for the selected candidates to gain international exposure while resolving regional crime related issues, handling peacekeeping activities, maintaining law and order, prevention of foreign crime, participate in foreign police advisory committees, and experience of different other managerial posts. DIG Aslam Tareen further told this paper that after their return, the Pakistani candidates would hopefully reflect an international image, vast experience and ethics while dealing with local complainants. About the criterion of their selection, he said, each candidate was subjected to pass different professional tests — written test, firing test, driving test, speaking power, and physical and psychological tests.

“Over five to seven tests were conducted to select candidates for the UN Mission in different districts of the Punjab,” he disclosed. Interestingly, only one out of total 19 candidates currently serving at Punjab Police Headquarters (PHQ) was declared pass. An Assistant Sub-Inspector, however, said no test was conducted for the PHQ officers. “This time around, the Punjab Inspector of Police had directed the authorities concerned to conduct these tests without purely on merit. As a result, only one personnel was selected among those who were serving with the PHQ,” he said. Another senior police officer, who has already completed his one UN Mission, said that in foreign countries even a police DIG (Pakistan) has to work as an ordinary police personnel placed under a police inspector. “You are assigned various posts such as complaint cells, regular duties, patrolling duties and, etc.,” he added. He said for the first time the Ministry of Interior had sanctioned the Police Department, saying those repeaters, who have done two UN Missions would not be allowed. A final test, it may be noted, would be conducted in Islamabad before sending the Punjab police candidates to join the United Nations Mission.