RAWALPINDI: The promotion of Dr Helen Mary Robert to the rank of brigadier is an example of merit in the armed forces, the military’s media wing said on Sunday.

Dr Mary became the first Christian woman to be appointed brigadier in the army. She has been serving as a pathologist in AMC for 26 years.

An Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release said Brig Robert’s promotion was “a beacon of hope for the Pakistani-Christian community”.

The ISPR also quoted Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s statement that “minorities shall be deemed to be citizens of Pakistan without distinction of caste, colour, religion or creed and shall enjoy all their rights and privileges and the rights of citizenship.” It said the army makes its decisions “regardless of religious, linguistic and gender discrimination”.

The statement quoted her as saying that serving in the army was “a great honour” for her.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2024