Pak Army Appoints First Female Lt General
Major General Nigar Johar has become the first female officer of the Pakistan army to be promoted to the rank of lieutenant general owing to her spectacular performance in different leadership and administrative appointments and roles.
In a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Nigar Johar is appointed the first female surgeon general of the Pakistan army. At present, she is serving as commandant Pak-Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi.
In 2017, Nigar also became the third female officer in the history of Pakistan to reach the rank of major general. She also served as vice-principal of the Army Medical College. She served as the first-ever female deputy commandant of the Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi in 2015.
Born in Panjpir village in Swabi district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) to a Pashtun family, Nigar received her early education from the Presentation Convent Girls High School, Rawalpindi in 1978 and graduated from the Army Medical College in 1985.
Nigar has a remarkable career in the Army Medical Corps serving almost three decades with rich and diverse experience in management and leadership appointments in the armed forces. She holds Membership of the College of Physicians and Surgeons (MCPS) degree in family medicine. He also obtained MSc in Advance Administration and a Masters’ Degree in Public Health in addition to multiple courses. She is also the national instructor of Hospital Preparedness for emergencies.
She is also a recipient of Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Military) and Fatima Jinnah Gold Medal for her meritorious services in the Army Medical Corps from the prime minister.
Pakistan’s army decision of her promotion is also significant in the light of increasing number of female officers in the army and the provision of equal opportunities to them ensuring gender equality. Female officers are also seen serving in the United Nations Missions abroad. Currently, there are 30 Pakistani female officers serving in two such teams, and yet another team was to be deployed in Congo by June 20.
