ISLAMABAD: The first female lieutenant general of the Pakistan Army was formally appointed as Colonel Commandant of the Army Medical Corps (AMC) on Friday, announced the military's media wing, as the country's army chief called the development a moment of pride for the nation.
The appointment was made by Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa during his visit to the AMC Center in Abbottabad where he first laid floral wreath at a martyrs' memorial.
General Bajwa pinned the badges of the rank on Lieutenant General Nigar Johar's uniform, making her the first female general in the army to receive the distinction.
The army chief lauded the AMC's contributions in ensuring high standards of healthcare during the days of war and peace.
He said the appointment "of the first ever three-star female General Officer of Pakistan Army as Colonel Commandant of AMC is indeed a matter of immense pride for Pakistan Army and the country," informed the official statement.
General Bajwa maintained the AMC had always answered the call of duty during natural calamities, adding its doctors and paramedics had acted as frontline warriors against COVID-19 and displayed exemplary commitment and resolve for the safety and well-being of the people of Pakistan.
"Keeping pace with rapid advancements in medical science is imperative for the doctors and paramedics to keep themselves at par with modern militaries and best global practices in health care," he continued.
Lieutenant General Johar hails from Swabi, a conservative region in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
She joined the Army Medical College in 1981 and graduated in 1985.
Pakistan's army chief appoints first female official as colonel commandant of medical corps
https://arab.news/23gfv
Pakistan's army chief appoints first female official as colonel commandant of medical corps
- Lieutenant General Nigar Johar hails from a conservative region in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province
- She is also the first and only woman who was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general in the army
Babar Azam dropped for scoring too slowly, says Pakistan coach Hesson
- Shaheen Shah Afridi was left out after conceding 101 runs in three matches
- Pakistan will now face New Zealand in the opening match of the second phase
COLOMBO: Batting great Babar Azam was dropped for Pakistan’s final T20 World Cup group game against Namibia for scoring too slowly, said head coach Mike Hesson on Friday.
Azam, who is the highest run-scorer in T20 international history with 4,571 runs, was left out for the must-win game against Namibia as Pakistan racked up 199-3 and secured a place in the Super Eights by 102 runs.
The 2009 champions face New Zealand in Colombo on Saturday in the opening match of the second phase.
“I think Babar is well aware that his strike rate in the power play in the World Cup is less than 100 and that’s clearly not the role we think we need,” Hesson told reporters after Pakistan’s final practice session on Friday was washed out by rain.
Pakistan left out Azam for the same reason at last year’s Asia Cup and even after dismal showing in the Big Bash League, he was still selected for the T20 World Cup.
“We brought Babar back in for a specific role post the Asia Cup,” said Hesson.
“We’ve got plenty of other options who can come in and perform that role toward the end.
“Babar is actually the first to acknowledge that.
“He knows that he’s got a certain set of skills that the team requires and there are certain times where other players can perform that role more efficiently.”
Hesson also defended dropping pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi after he conceded 101 runs in three matches, including 31 in two overs against India.
“We made a call that Salman Mirza was coming in for Shaheen, and he bowled incredibly well,” said Hesson.
“To be fair, he was probably really unlucky to not be playing the second and third games.”
Hesson was wary of Pakistan’s opponents on Saturday.
“New Zealand have played a huge amount in the subcontinent in recent times so we have to play at our best.”
