In a first, Christian army officer promoted to rank of Maj General

For the first time, the Pakistan Army has promoted a Christian army officer from the Special Services Group (SSG), Julian Moazzam James, to the rank of Major General, according to sources.

On June 6, twenty-two brigadiers were promoted to the rank of Major-General after the approval from the Pakistan Army Promotion Board headed by the army chief General Syed Asim Munir.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the board held at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, sources informed.

Brigadiers promoted to the two-star rank belonged to various corps – including Armed Corps, Artillery, Air Defence, Aviation, Infantary Corps of Military Intelligence and EME.

In the list, Major General Julian Moazzam James was also included.

Following the development, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the newly-promoted army officer for achieving the milestone.

"Services of Christian community for the progress, development and defense of country are unforgettable," the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued a statement quoting the premier as saying.

"[PM] Shehbaz Sharif termed the professional skills and hard work of Julian Moazzam James as a beacon for young generation," it added.

Earlier in June, Helen Mary Robert became the first Christian woman officer to be promoted to the rank of Brigadier.

Brigadier Mary was promoted to a high rank in the Army Medical Corps.