ISLAMABAD: Lt Gen Nigar Johar on Tuesday became the first woman three-star general in the history of Pakistan’s military.

Military spokesman Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar annou­nced her promotion on twitter. “Maj Gen Nigar Johar, HI (M) promoted as Lieute­nant General,” he tweeted.

Gen Johar has been serving in the army’s medical corps for almost three decades and has held various management positions during her career.

She is a graduate of the Army Medical College and holds an MCPS degree in family medicine, MSc in advanced medical administration and a Masters in Public Health. She has served as the National Instr­uctor of Hospital Prepar­edness in Emergency.

Gen Johar’s military career is filled with firsts. Besides being the first female officer to be promoted to three-star rank, she was also the first female officer to command an army hospital, when she headed Combined Military Hospital, Jhelum, as a brigadier. At the time of her promotion, she was commanding the Military Hospital, Rawa­lpindi.

She has been decorated with Tamgha-i- Imtiaz (Milit­ary) and is also the recipient of Fatima Jinnah Gold Medal for meritorious services in Army Medical Corps from the prime minister of Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2020