First female brigadier in Army from minority community

RAWALPINDI: Brigadier Helen Mary Roberts, affiliated with the Army Medical Corps, has made history by becoming the first female from Christian and minority community to be promoted to Pakistan Army’s rank of one-star officer in the country’s 77-year history.

At a ceremony last year, Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir had commended the role played by the country’s Christian community in its development during a Christmas celebration at Christ Church in Rawalpindi. He praised their contributions to promoting quality education, healthcare and philanthropy, as well as their notable contributions to national defence.

The COAS expressed his profound respect for the Christian community and underscored the importance of fostering interfaith harmony to achieve Quaid’s vision of a united and progressive Pakistan.

Brig. Helen Mary Roberts was among Pakistan Army officers promoted as brigadiers and full colonels by the Selection Board.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also especially congratulated Helen Mary on her promotion as Brigadier in Pakistan Army. “I myself and the nation congratulates Brig Helen Mary Roberts on getting honour of the first female from minority to be promoted as Brigadier in Pakistan Army,” he said.

He said the whole nation was proud of Brig. Helen and thousands of other hardworking women.

Brigadier Dr. Helen Mary is senior pathologist and has been serving in Pakistan Army for the last 26 years. This is the Pakistan we want to see where every citizen has equal opportunity regardless of religion, caste, financial status and ethnicity, one of comments on social media said.