In a first, Hindu army officer promoted to rank of lieutenant colonel

E-Paper | October 25, 2026

In a first, Hindu army officer promoted to rank of lieutenant colonel

Dawn.com Published February 25, 2022

This image shows newly promoted Lieutenant Colonel Kelash Kumar. — Photo courtesy: PTV

A Hindu officer of the Pakistan Army, Dr Kailash Kumar, has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel, it emerged on Friday.

State broadcaster Pakistan Television announced the development, adding that Kumar was the first Hindu officer to be promoted to the rank.

Extending his congratulations, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry called the newly promoted lieutenant colonel "our pride".

Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul Wazir termed it a proud moment for the country.

Writer Shama Junejo said "history has been made" and expressed the hope to see the officer promoted to the rank of general.

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Cardiac Arrest

Feb 25, 2022 08:35pm

After 75 years.

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Patriot

Feb 25, 2022 08:36pm

Good to see this. This is the treatment of minorities in Pakistan. Maybe India should learn a thing or two

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Anti-Corruption

Feb 25, 2022 08:37pm

Congratulations Lt. Col Kailash Kumar. You are a proud Pakistani, and the nation is proud of you.

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Jamil Soomro, New York City

Feb 25, 2022 08:46pm

I hope this brings tears to the eyes of Narendra Modi the dogmatic Preacher of Hindutva.

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Terry Bola

Feb 25, 2022 08:48pm

@Patriot , Wake up ! Muslims have been Presidents of India.

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Jo Original

Feb 25, 2022 08:48pm

Congratulations Dr Kelash Kumar pride of Pakistan.

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Jo Original

Feb 25, 2022 08:49pm

@Patriot , Educate yourself first. India has many Christians, Muslims and Sikhs in its army at all ranks!

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Jasbir

Feb 25, 2022 09:00pm

First time in Pakistan's long history...

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Kris

Feb 25, 2022 09:01pm

Lieutenant Colonel? When will you make a minority officer a Lieutenant General? Congrats to Mr.Kumar!

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Suresh

Feb 25, 2022 09:04pm

Amazing

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datta

Feb 25, 2022 09:04pm

@Patriot , so strange you say it. India has General rank Muslims.

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Ali

Feb 25, 2022 09:09pm

Awesome

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Feb 25, 2022 09:09pm

Glad more members of minority community joining the military. Congratulations! Pride of Pakistan!

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M. Emad

Feb 25, 2022 09:11pm

Army Medical Corps.

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Syed A. Mateen

Feb 25, 2022 09:12pm

Pakistan Army has set another example to promote a Hindu officer after a Sikh who was promoted some time ago. Hindus who are after the lives of Muslims in India must note that for Pakistan all human beings are treated equally.

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Feb 25, 2022 09:16pm

There have been many Muslim general rank officers in Indian army and equivalent in air force and navy.

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TimeToMovveOn

Feb 25, 2022 09:17pm

Great job Pakistan!

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Balas

Feb 25, 2022 09:18pm

Appreciate the progress

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Ba Akhlaq

Feb 25, 2022 09:19pm

Good news. Congratulations.

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Sabir

Feb 25, 2022 09:19pm

Great, I have always seen this in Pakistan, everyone is given equal treatment. Merit is the only thing that matters here.

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Feb 25, 2022 09:22pm

love it! You are son of the land! Wishing you more success.

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TTA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TTP

Feb 25, 2022 09:22pm

This should be a normal thing....

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Punjabi Chronicles

Feb 25, 2022 09:22pm

Congratulations. Merit matters. Talent matters. Hope he will get more promotions soon.

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Taj Ahmad

Feb 25, 2022 09:24pm

Congratulations to our new Lt.Colonel in Pak Army, Great news.

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Multani

Feb 25, 2022 09:28pm

You will never see this happening in Indian army of only Hindus

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Multani

Feb 25, 2022 09:32pm

This is historic day for our army, our eastern neighbor must learn from us how to take care of their minorities

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Siva

Feb 25, 2022 09:35pm

We have presidents in our country who were muslims (Abdul Kalam Azad) and well accepted by everyone all over the world. No minority concept here. Only merit counts.

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Zarir

Feb 25, 2022 09:46pm

I heard India has millions of minorities in top roles

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Ali B

Feb 25, 2022 09:47pm

Congrats,more coming in.

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0qTtr

Feb 25, 2022 09:51pm

Never knew Hindus existed in this army.

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alli

Feb 25, 2022 09:55pm

@Cardiac Arrest, minorities genocide is happening in india

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Junaid

Feb 25, 2022 09:56pm

Just one in million plus army?

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Syed Irfan

Feb 25, 2022 09:56pm

Congratulations to Kelash Kumar. May he go all the way to the General.

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sfomann

Feb 25, 2022 10:14pm

Well Done Sir Kailash Kumar. We Pakistanis are proud of you

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Kash

Feb 25, 2022 10:14pm

@Patriot , In India Muslim can be president, vice president, army officer like majority

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Kamil Masroor

Feb 25, 2022 10:16pm

He is not a Hindu Army Officer. He is Pak Army officer.

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M. Ahmed

Feb 25, 2022 10:30pm

Many congratulations

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Zak

Feb 25, 2022 10:39pm

Modi needs to learn from Pakistan how to treat its minorities.

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Zak

Feb 25, 2022 10:39pm

@Cardiac Arrest, After 75 years. None joined before.

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Human

Feb 25, 2022 10:54pm

@Zarir ,the most loved indian president by the citizens till date is Dr APJ Kalam!

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Yaseen

Feb 25, 2022 11:07pm

Congratulations, Sir. You are pride of the nation.

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Naeem Husain

Feb 25, 2022 11:10pm

Great news! A step in right direction! Congratulations Dr. kelash Kumar!

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Khalid

Feb 25, 2022 11:18pm

He is a Hindu and he is doctor.... Says a lot about 2 communities

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vivek wani

Feb 25, 2022 11:40pm

good & positive

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Pakistani

Feb 25, 2022 11:40pm

Congratulations sir!!

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S. Chatterjee

Feb 25, 2022 11:46pm

Good news. I feel a person's merit is important not religion.

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Feb 25, 2022 11:51pm

@Zarir , 4 Muslim presidents!!!

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A. Din

Feb 25, 2022 11:51pm

@0qTtr, Now you know.

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Chini

Feb 25, 2022 11:52pm

just a eye wash

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Dr Atam Vetta

Feb 25, 2022 11:56pm

Thank you Pak Army. Well Done

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Feb 26, 2022 12:23am

Who says there is discrimination on the basis of faith in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan?

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faisal

Feb 26, 2022 12:42am

@Cardiac Arrest, now I wonder why you call your self cardiac arrest jealousy hurts and BP goes up

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Doost

Feb 26, 2022 12:54am

The good trend continues. Congrats!

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Zulfiqar H Naqvi

Feb 26, 2022 01:02am

No kidding!!

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Joe Majumdar

Feb 26, 2022 01:18am

Appreciate it, let’s respect for the people and do not underestimate any one based on religion !

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Feb 26, 2022 01:27am

Congrates Col.Kailash.Long live Pak Army.

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Anonymouseee

Feb 26, 2022 01:36am

Congratulations sir. Meanwhile in india, Modi/BJP continue to terrorize minorities.

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Feb 26, 2022 01:38am

Great this is a news

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Henchi

Feb 26, 2022 01:44am

Is Dr. Kalesh going to command a Battlion or is he a Medical Doctor in the Pak Army?.

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Sami

Feb 26, 2022 01:59am

Congratulations Lt. Colonel Kumar!

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pa99

Feb 26, 2022 02:09am

Correct me if I am mistaken, was there not a young Sikh soldier in the PAK Army who had been mentioned in these pages long ago?

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Hamed

Feb 26, 2022 02:12am

Mr. Kumar you are first Pakistani. It does not matter what religion you have. Main thing is that you have good character and help others. Don't let yourself be fooled by others.

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Spatcho

Feb 26, 2022 02:18am

@Patriot , India had minority generals long ago. Even a field marshal.

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Attiq, Dubai

Feb 26, 2022 02:33am

@Patriot , indianhad Muslims at the level of Generals

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saeed

Feb 26, 2022 02:46am

Bravo Dr Kailash Kumar. Thank you so much.

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imran_m

Feb 26, 2022 02:51am

Now both sides will learn each other's secrets quickly.

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Raka

Feb 26, 2022 04:02am

@Zak , how do you know?

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Vijay

Feb 26, 2022 05:00am

@Zak , We had Muslim president and vice president.

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Vgp

Feb 26, 2022 05:06am

What an awesome achievement

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Success

Feb 26, 2022 05:10am

Some people just keep burning :)

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Lss

Feb 26, 2022 06:05am

@Zak , I wonder why?

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Mani

Feb 26, 2022 06:15am

@Cardiac Arrest, In an Islamic country, not a secular one. Understand the difference and magnitude.

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Mani

Feb 26, 2022 06:17am

@Kash, Cause Muslims ruled India. That’s why Modi is so scared.

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shake chilli

Feb 26, 2022 06:25am

He is a doctor.

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Secular by heart

Feb 26, 2022 06:40am

@Zak , India has minorities in top jobs for years . India had Presidents. ministers of Muslims .

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Sparteum

Feb 26, 2022 06:58am

@Patriot , India has had Muslim Presidents

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fida

Feb 26, 2022 07:20am

So what, the fact is India had a Muslim President, Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces.

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fida

Feb 26, 2022 07:22am

@Patriot , India had a Muslim as a President. Compared to that Pakistan is far behind.

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Honest Opinion

Feb 26, 2022 07:25am

Congrats. You are a Pakistani and you make us proud by serving our nation.

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AZAM AKBAR

Feb 26, 2022 07:37am

Congratulations.

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Ibrahim S

Feb 26, 2022 07:42am

I am just proud of our a Pakistani Hindu brother in army .

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Ahmad

Feb 26, 2022 07:47am

I gotta a see to believe it

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Saba

Feb 26, 2022 07:49am

Great news

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Feb 26, 2022 08:08am

Heartiest congrats, Officer! Rise and shine, inshaAllah.

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Yabba

Feb 26, 2022 08:17am

@Syed Irfan , spelling is incorrect. At least learn to spell correctly

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Manu_USA

Feb 26, 2022 08:41am

Pakistan is changing a bit !! Needs to do more for the safety n respect of minorities.

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Sajid

Feb 26, 2022 09:28am

@Cardiac Arrest, US never had a female President and Kamala is first female VP while Pakistan, Indian and Bangladesh had female PMs. So things are changing and it should be appreciated.

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Realistic

Feb 26, 2022 09:59am

Great news

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Mirza Nisar

Feb 26, 2022 10:07am

Absolutely fantastic news. Everyone should be treated on merit what ever their religion, colour or creed.

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Shoaib

Feb 26, 2022 12:04pm

They deserve, Good job by pak army

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Wurger

Feb 27, 2022 06:56pm

Good

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