Helen Mary becomes first Christian woman brigadier in Pakistan army

ISLAMABAD: Dr Helen Mary Roberts has been promoted to Brigadier in the Army Medical Corps of the Pakistan army, making her the first Christian woman to attain this rank.

Brigadier Helen Mary has served as a pathologist in the Pakistan Army Medical Corps for 26 years.

Her promotion was announced by the Public Relations Department of the Pakistan Army (ISPR), which highlighted this milestone as a beacon of hope for the Christian community in Pakistan and a testament to merit and national representation within the armed forces.

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The ISPR statement said that decisions within the Pakistan army are made without regard to religious, linguistic, or gender discrimination. It also noted that Dr Helen Mary considers it an honour to serve her country and nation in the Pakistan army, exemplifying the principle of meritocracy.

Prior to Brigadier Robert’s promotion, Major-General Nigar Johar broke gender barriers by becoming the first female officer in the Pakistan army to be promoted to the rank of lieutenant general in 2020.