Prime Minister Shehbaz praised Brigadier Roberts for his hard work and dedication.
Islamabad:
Colonel Helen Mary Robert made history as the first Christian woman to be promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in the Pakistan Army.
Colonel Helen Mary, a pathologist with the Pakistan Army Medical Corps, has dedicated 26 years of service to her country.
Colonel Helen Mehri considered it an honour to serve her country and its people while serving in the Pakistan Army.
The Integrated Services Public Relations (ISPR) praised her service and said, “Colonel Helen Mary is a living example of someone who has served with distinction in the Pakistan Army.”
Colonel Helen Mary’s promotion is seen as a ray of hope for Pakistan’s Christian community. The ISPR noted that she embodies the principles of meritocracy and people’s representation within the armed forces.
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The Pakistani military has long supported the vision of the country’s founder, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who declared in his speech to the First Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947, “You are free. Your religion, caste or creed shall have no bearing on state affairs.”
On another occasion, Jinnah asserted that “minorities, without distinction of caste, colour, religion or creed, will be considered as citizens of Pakistan and will enjoy all the rights, privileges and rights of citizenship.”
Pakistan Army embodies Jinnah’s vision and takes decisions without discrimination on the basis of religion, language or gender.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Helen Mary Robert on her promotion to the rank of Brigadier General in the Army Medical Corps.
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“The Prime Minister said that he and the entire nation have congratulated her,” the statement said. He praised Brigadier Roberts for her hard work and dedication and said she has proven that Pakistani women can excel and be second to none in any field.
He said the whole nation was proud of Brigadier General Roberts and the thousands of other women from ethnic minorities who, like her, were doing honourable service to the country.
The Prime Minister added that Brigadier General Roberts’ dedication to service, humanity and work will serve as a beacon of inspiration for the next generation of young women.