WPS Perspectives: Lt. General (ret) Nigar Johar, Pakistan Army
Channel: U.S. Naval War College
Date: 14/11/2023

General (Ret) Nigar Johar (Pakistan Army) was born in a village and wanted to be a doctor and in the Army. She did her schooling from Presentation Convent, MBBS from Army medical college and was commissioned in 1985.  She notes that she was rewarded for her struggles and hard work with a lot of firsts as a woman officer. She is the first female to command any unit in the history of Pakistan Armed Forces and also to command the biggest military hospital of Pakistan. She is the first and only woman to be promoted as Lt General and also to be appointed as surgeon general, doctor, administrator and public health specialist.  She possesses a Master’s in Advance Medical Administration, a Master’s in Public Health, MCPS in Family Medicine, FRCP UK Edin(hon) and FCPS in community medicine.  She serves as a national instructor for hospital preparedness for emergency remaining at the forefront of the response to COVID-19 and unprecedented floods in recent years.  She has been awarded multiple medals and honors, is  appreciated at all levels and considered an inspiring role model.