Dr. Helen Mary Roberts Makes History as First Female Christian Brigadier in Pakistan Army

In a landmark achievement, Dr. Helen Mary Roberts has shattered a glass ceiling by becoming the first female brigadier from the Christian community in the Pakistan Army. Her promotion to brigadier in the Pakistan Army Medical Corps is not just a personal triumph but a significant milestone for minority women in Pakistan. 

For over 26 years, Brigadier Dr. Helen Mary Roberts has dedicated herself to serving her country as a pathologist. Her career, marked by unwavering commitment and exceptional service, has now been honored with this historic promotion. 

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) described her as a "living example of merit without distinction" in the Pakistan Army, underscoring the institution's dedication to fairness and excellence. 

The promotion of Dr. Roberts is more than a professional milestone; reaffirms the principles laid down by Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan, who envisioned a nation where minorities enjoy equal rights and privileges. 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif joined the nation in celebrating this momentous occasion. In a message shared on social media, he congratulated Brigadier Roberts, highlighting her as a role model not only for women but for all individuals from minority communities striving for excellence in their fields. 

The Prime Minister praised her dedication, emphasizing that her journey proves Pakistani women can excel in any domain and are indeed second to none. 

In her own words, Brigadier Roberts expressed that serving in the army is “a great honor.” As she steps into her new role, she carries the hopes of many, embodying the spirit of service to the nation. Before Brigadier Roberts, in June 2020, Maj Gen Nigar Johar became Pakistan's first female lieutenant general, breaking gender barriers. 

Despite such achievements, challenges persist for Pakistan's Christian community. A recent incident in the Sargodha district underscores the dangers of religious intolerance, reminding us of the plight faced by minorities in Pakistan. 

On May 25, 2024, in the Sargodha district of Punjab province, a deeply troubling incident occurred. An enraged mob of over 400 people, including children, attacked Nazir Masih, a Christian man, and his family, accusing him of desecrating the Quran. 

The mob set their house on fire and destroyed a shoe factory owned by Nazir's son, forcing the family to flee for their lives. Although the police eventually intervened and rescued the family, Nazir Masih was left severely injured and tragically passed away, underscoring the lethal consequences of mob violence in Pakistan. 

This incident drew widespread condemnation from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and underscores the severe dangers Christians face in the country due to such mob violence. 

In Pakistan, over 90 percent of the population identifies as practicing Muslims. According to the 2017 census, there are approximately 2.6 million Christians in the country, making up about 1.27 percent of the total population. This positions Christians as Pakistan's second-largest religious minority, following Hindus. 

Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah of the Supreme Court has called for coexistence and tolerance in society, pointing out that Pakistan ranks among the lowest countries in terms of religious freedom. 

Speaking at the Justice A.R. Cornelius Conference, hosted by a minority rights organization, Justice Shah emphasized that all non-Muslim communities in Pakistan "are dear to us, and we all love them." 

He expressed his hope to see more judges from minority communities in higher courts, although he noted that the term ‘minority’ only represents their numbers and not their significance. 

Justice Shah lamented Pakistan's poor ranking in the Freedom House Report by the European Union in 2023, stressing that it is a collective responsibility to improve this situation. 

He highlighted that the Constitution provides rights to minorities, and reminded the audience that Pakistan’s national flag symbolizes the inclusion of minorities, with the white color representing them. 

Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar echoed these sentiments, stating that Islam guarantees the rights and protection of minorities and that the Constitution ensures their fundamental rights. 

Tarar announced the formation of a commission regarding minority rights and expressed the government's desire to see greater representation of minority communities in the higher judiciary.