Lt. Gen. (retired) Nigar Johar Khan, the first woman in Pakistan Army history to attain the rank of lieutenant general, has been named brand ambassador for women’s empowerment by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), according to state media reports on Tuesday.
A trailblazer in the military, Johar previously served as the colonel commandant of the Army Medical Corps and was the first female three-star general to command a corps. Originally from Swabi, a traditionally conservative district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, she began her journey in the armed forces by joining Army Medical College in 1981, graduating in 1985.
In a report by the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), RCCI announced her appointment during a special event titled “SHE Leads — A Tribute to Women.” The chamber hailed her as a symbol of women’s leadership and empowerment.
RCCI President Usman Shaukat lauded Johar’s groundbreaking achievements, stating, “She has redefined what is possible for women in Pakistan and stands as a beacon of hope and aspiration.”
Speaking at the event, Johar commended the RCCI for its forward-thinking approach to gender equality and stressed the need for collective action. “Creating spaces for women to lead, grow, and shape the future is essential,” she said.