Ex-DG ISPR Asif Ghafoor among six major generals promoted to three-star rank

Six major generals of the Pakistan Army were promoted on Wednesday to the rank of lieutenant general, a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Major General Babar Iftikhar said.

According to the spokesperson for the military's media wing, the approval for promotions was given in a promotion board meeting held at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, presided over by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Those promoted include former DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor, Major General Akhtar Nawaz, Major General Sardar Hassan Azhar Hayat, Major General Salman Fayyaz Ghani, Major General Sarfraz Ali and Major General Muhammad Ali, the DG ISPR stated in a tweet.

The army also announced new postings and appointments among the top brass. Lieutenant General Nadeem Ahmed Anjum was appointed Commander Karachi Corps. Lt Gen Muhammad Abdul Aziz was appointed Lahore Corps commander and Lt Gen Muhammad Waseem Ashraf was appointed commander Multan Corps – one of the military’s premier strike corps.

Lt Gen Khalid Zia was appointed as Bahawalpur Corps commander. Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali was appointed Commander Southern Command, encompassing Balochistan and other southern parts of the country. Lt Gen Muhammad Ali was appointed as the new commander of the Army Strategic Forces Command (ASFC).

Lt Gen Asif Ghafoor was posted as the new Inspector General Communication & Information Technology. Lt Gen Syed Muhammad Adnan was posted as Inspector General Training & Evaluation and Lt Gen Sardar Hassan Azhar Hayat was posted as the new Military Secretary. Lt Gen Majid Ehsan was posted as Inspector General Arms.

In June, Nigar Jouhar made history by becoming the first female officer to be promoted to the rank of lieutenant general owing to her spectacular performance in different leadership and administrative roles.

She said that Pakistan Army believes in merit and her appointment to the rank of lieutenant general last month is a reflection of meritocratic system being followed in the institution.

The first female lieutenant general added she is proud to be the part of Pakistan Army and that her institution is assisting the civil administration in all possible ways to fight the Covid-19 outbreak in the country.

At present, Nigar is serving as commandant Pak-Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi.

She is also a recipient of Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Military) and Fatima Jinnah Gold Medal for her meritorious services in Army Medical Corps.