There’s no secret that the women of Pakistan are hard-working, gender-stereotype breaking leaders, when given the opportunity to flourish and excel! Many of these women deserve credit for their accomplishments; it isn’t simply just working hard, their work is channeled towards changing the mindset of our Pakistani population, of how women are seen and heard, from just being given the title of a housewife or a mother to becoming an active citizen in society who is making a difference in the long term for future generations to come.
Earlier this week General Nigar Johar became Pakistan’s first female officer to be promoted to the high rank of Lieutenant General. The Director of ISPR (Inter-Services Public Relations), Major Babar Ifthikar, announced that Major General Nigar Johar has also been appointed the first female Surgeon General of the Pakistan Army.
Growing up in Panjpeer village, Swabi district, she completed her education from Presentation Convent Girls High School, Rawalpindi and graduated from Army Medical College in 1985. She later pursued her Masters degree in 2015 in public health from the University of Health Sciences, Lahore . She also has the honour of being the first woman officer to be given command of a unit/hospital of the armed forces.
Leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Shehbaz Sherif stated that this sends a 'powerful message for our girls,' continuing to congratulate the Lieutenant General,
“Promotion of Major General Nigar Johar to the rank of Lt. General, the first lady of icer to reach this position in the history of Pakistan, is a powerful message to our girls & women to aspire for the impossible in life. Congratulations to the newly appointed of icer”
PPP Senator, Sherry Rehman also tweeted, “Great to see Major General Nigar Johar as the first woman to be promoted to Lieutenant General in the military. Her home town in Swabi KP must be very proud. #Pakistan”
This is one of many milestones Lt. General Nigar Johar has overcome, we look forward to many more and inspiring young girls of Pakistan to work hard and dream big, regardless of the obstacles in their path.
