nigar johar
nigar johar
Pakistani women, breaking stereotypes and emerging as icons in various fields, exemplify a shared commitment to national development.
Among them is Major General Nigar Johar Khan, a two-star general in the Pakistan Army, marking the third woman in the nation’s history to attain the rank of Major General.
Originating from Panjpir village in the Swabi district, Major General Nigar completed her schooling at Presentation Convent Girls High School in Rawalpindi.
Graduating from Army Medical College in 1985, she later earned membership from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Pakistan, in 2010.
Additionally, she holds a Master’s in Advance Medical Administration (2012) from Armed Forces Post Graduate Medical Institute and a Master’s in Public Health (2015) from the University of Health Sciences, Lahore.
As the first lady officer entrusted with the command of a unit/hospital in the Armed Forces, her notable achievements include a promotion to Major General on February 9, 2017.
She expressed her longstanding desire to become an Army doctor, inspired by her father, an Army officer.
Commissioned as a Captain doctor in December 1985, Major General Nigar highlighted the challenges and importance of each rank, emphasizing the merit-based system in the Army.
She acknowledged the additional effort required for women but emphasized the growing recognition of their resilience.
Major General Nigar attributed her success to hard work, positivity, and a sincere desire to help others.
Despite facing personal hardships, including the loss of her parents in a car accident at a young age, she credited their teachings on positive thinking as instrumental in her journey.
Maintaining a strong willpower and a ‘can-do’ attitude, she emphasized the transformative impact of positivity.
Reflecting on gender discrimination, Major General Nigar acknowledged its existence in society and occasionally within the Army.
However, she stressed the importance of recognizing and addressing discrimination, advocating for women to work twice as hard to earn respect.
Encouraging collaboration rather than competition with male colleagues, she noted the gradual dismantling of gender-related barriers.
Addressing health issues faced by Pakistani women, Major General Nigar highlighted concerns such as malnutrition, anaemia, and maternal mortality.
Stressing the need for awareness, education, and basic healthcare, particularly in rural areas, she emphasized the link between women’s health, education, and the well-being of families and nations.
Balancing personal and professional life, Major General Nigar credited her understanding spouse and emphasized the importance of prioritizing life’s responsibilities.
She encouraged women to comprehend life’s priorities and maintain a balance between work and home.
In her message to the female youth of Pakistan, Major General Nigar urged them to recognize the strengths of being a woman.
Quoting Marie Curie, she emphasized understanding rather than fearing life, urging faith in Allah, education, hard work, and commitment to one’s purpose and dreams.
Advocating for women’s empowerment and mutual support, she concluded that an empowered woman should empower others.
nigar johar fast facts
Lieutenant General Nigar Johar Khan, a distinguished figure in Pakistan, gained prominence as a Major-General.
Date of Birth: January 01, 1970
Age: 53 Years as of 2023
Birth Place: Panjpir, Pakistan
Residence: Panjpir, Pakistan
Country: Pakistan
Profession: Major-General
Education: Masters in public health
Father: Col Qadir (Deceased)
Mother: Mrs. Qadir
Nationality: Pakistani
Siblings: 2 Sisters (Deceased)
Brother: None
Religion: Islam
Spouse: Johar Ali Khan
Horoscope: Capricorn
Lieutenant General Nigar Johar Khan’s place of birth is Panjpir, Pakistan.
Proudly holding Pakistani nationality.
The esteemed individual is the offspring of Col Qadir (Deceased) and Mrs. Qadir, having 2 Sisters (Deceased) as siblings.
She is married to Johar Ali Khan.
Lieutenant General Nigar Johar Khan holds the historic distinction of being the first and sole woman in the annals of the Pakistan Army to attain the rank of lieutenant-general and the third to achieve the rank of major-general.
She is a member of the Pakistan Army Medical Corps.
Lieutenant General Nigar Johar Khan, belonging to the Pakistan Army Medical Corps, currently serves as the esteemed surgeon general of the Pakistan Army.
Notably, she gained recognition in 2015 through an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) video celebrating the accomplishments of women in the Pakistan Armed Forces.
At that time, she held the position of deputy commandant at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Rawalpindi.
Born in Panjpir village, Swabi District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, to a Pashtun family, Nigar Johar’s father, Colonel Qadir, served in the army.
Tragically, both her parents and two younger sisters perished in a car accident in 1989.
Her husband, Johar, an Engineer in the military, succumbed to cancer in 2019.
Nigar Johar completed her schooling at the Presentation Convent Girls High School, Rawalpindi, in 1978, and subsequently joined the Army Medical College (AMC) in 1981, graduating in 1985.
She is an alumna of the 5th MBBS course of the Army Medical College, having served as a female company commander of Ayesha Company at the same institution.
Her academic journey includes completing the examination for membership of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan in 2010, obtaining a diploma in Advanced Medical Administration from the Armed Forces Post Graduate Medical Institute in 2012, and earning a Master of Public Health degree from the same institute in 2015.
On June 30, 2020, Nigar Johar achieved the rank of Lieutenant General and assumed the crucial role of Surgeon General of the Pakistan Army.
Previously, she served as the deputy commandant of the Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi in 2015.
On February 9, 2017, she was among the 37 brigadiers promoted to the rank of major general.
Her promotions received approval at an Army Selection Board meeting presided over by Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa.
Nigar Johar has also held roles such as Vice Principal of Army Medical College and Commandant of Pak-Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi.
Lt. General Nigar Johar has been honored with the Crescent of Excellence Hilal-e-Imtiaz, the Medal of Excellence Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, and the Fatima Jinnah Gold Medal for meritorious services in the Army Medical Corps from the Prime Minister of Pakistan.