Major General Nigar is one of the names that shine brightly in the history of Pakistan due to their contributions to the nation. Not only is she the first and only woman to reach the prestigious rank of Lieutenant General in the Pakistan Army, but her journey is a testament to resilience and dedication. This is the story of a woman who dared to dream big and, in doing so, inspired generations of women to follow.
In this brief post, we’ll have a look at the splendid achievements of Major General Nigar, along with her early life that shaped her into an inspirational figure for many.
Family Background
Born as Nigar Qadir in a small village in the Swabi District of KPK on September 30, 1965. Later, after marriage, she changed her name to Nigar Johar. Her father, Qadir, was an Army colonel, and she got the roots for her spirit, determination, hard work, and patriotism from him.
She lost both her parents and two younger sisters in a car accident in 1989. The test was hard; it shattered her heart but not her aims. She came out of it even stronger to serve the motherland with more dedication and resilience. During a conversation with HILAL, she mentioned:
“I lost my parents in a car accident when I was young. I could not have reached where I am today if it wasn’t for my parents, who taught me about the power of positive thinking and its achievement and beauty.
This pushed me to work in such a way that no stone was left unturned to achieve my desired goal. I have always had very strong willpower.”
Major General Nigar’s Education
She completed her school in Rawalpindi in 1978. In 1981, she entered Army Medical College (AMC) and graduated in 1985. She also served as a female company commander. In 2010, she passed the examination to get the membership of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan. In 2012, she got a diploma in Advanced Medical Administration through the Armed Forces Post Graduate Medical Institute. In 2015, she completed her Master of Public Health degree from the same institute.
Military Career
General Nigar will forever shine brightly in the history of Pakistan, as she is the first and only woman to reach the rank of lieutenant general and the third to be appointed as major general. She got the rank of lieutenant general on June 30, 2020, and was appointed as the Surgeon General of the Pakistan Army. In 2015, she served as the deputy commandant of the Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi. She got the prestigious major general badge in 2017. She was also appointed as the vice principal of Army Medical College and the commandant of Pak-Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi.
Awards and Achievements of General Nigar
Nigar was awarded Hilal-e-Imtiaz and Tamgha-e-Imtiaz as an acknowledgment of her unparalleled service to Pakistan. Her efforts were also praised nationally by Pakistan’s television industry.
Her biopic, featuring Pakistani actress Mahira Khan, “Aik Hai Nigar”, was released on October 23, 2021. The film won many international awards, such as Septimius Award in Amsterdam and Netherlands, for portraying the motivational life story of Nigar Johar exceptionally.
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