ISLAMABAD:The United Nations (UN) has honoured eight Pakistani peacekeepers among 103 military, police and civilian personnel who lost their lives serving under the UN flag.

A special ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of UN Peacekeeping was held in New York at which the peacekeepers were decorated posthumously, according to a Radio Pakistan’s report.

Pakistan is currently the 5th largest contributor to UN peacekeeping with nearly 4,200 military and police personnel serving in different countries.

Presiding over the ceremony, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the UN peacekeepers support security, stability and the rule of law in host countries and they are seen as a beacon of hope and protection.