Minorities in armed forces

Pakistan has a good tradition of people from the minority communities serving in its armed forces, and they have won accolades for defending the nation during war and for serving the people of the country during natural disasters. The Constitution of Pakistan guarantees equal rights to all citizens irrespective of faith, ethnicity and language. Minorities are also entitled to equal protection of the law. Now the Pakistan Army has promoted two Hindus to the rank of lieutenant colonel – a very high officer rank in the army. The Chairman of the Pakistan Hindu Council, representative body of the community, Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, has congratulated the two army officers on their promotion.

Diversity in the armed forces leads to good results. It promotes national cohesion as this assures minorities of equal rights and opportunities like other citizens of the country. The Pakistan armed forces ensure that members of the minority communities are not discriminated against and their dignity is protected. In Pakistan, minorities are playing significant roles in all spheres of society, which is a testament to how the state and society are treating the country’s minority communities. They are serving the armed forces; working as doctors and engineers; carrying out duties as teachers at all levels; and are part of the business community too. They are known for their proficiency wherever they are working. All communities vouch for their competence and ability.

Since its inception, Pakistan has promoted diversity in its armed forces as well as other walks of life. Many members of the minority communities have served as officers of high rank in the Pakistan Army, Air Force and Navy. The list is long. Eric Gordon Hall opted for Pakistan in 1947, and went on to become Air Vice Marshal of the Pakistan Air Force. There are many other high-ranking officers from the armed forces who have won laurels for the country. A few such heroes were Air Commodore Nazir Latif, Mervyn Leslie Middlecoat, Cecil Chaudhry, and Maj Gen Julian Peter. Proper representation of minorities in armed forces safeguards national unity.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27^th, 2022.

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