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Tag: army

  • Harcharan Singh becomes Pakistan Army’s first Sikh lieutenant colonel

    Harcharan Singh becomes Pakistan Army’s first Sikh lieutenant colonel

    Pakistan Army officer Harcharan Singh has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel after a selection board evaluation conducted in late 2025.

    He was born in 1987 in Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak. Singh and joined the Pakistan Army in 2007 at the age of 20 and was commissioned into the Ordnance Corps.

    He later volunteered for a combat role and was transferred to the 12th Battalion of the Baloch Regiment, where he served as a Major in operational environments and sensitive border regions.

    Punjab Minister for Minorities Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora confirmed the promotion. He said members of minority communities have served in the military before, but this qualification level has not previously been reached by Sikh and Hindu officers.


    “Lt Col Singh’s achievement has proved that there is no barrier for the minorities in Pakistan, and that only talent speaks and sets the parameters for success. Lt Col Singh is an example of equality of all religions and unity in Pakistan. We, as part of the Sikh community, will give him a rousing welcome when he visits his hometown next,” he said.


    Mastan Singh, the former president of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) said, “Lt Col Singh is the pride of Baba Nanak’s city and the whole Sikh community, as well,” he said. At present, Lt Col Singh is posted at Abbottabad in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 

    According to available figures, 22 non-Muslim soldiers of Pakistan lost their lives during the war against terrorism. Officials say the promotion reflects a merit-based process in the armed forces.

  • Army, Rangers to be deployed for Champions Trophy security

    Army, Rangers to be deployed for Champions Trophy security

    The government has decided to deploy the Pakistan Army and Rangers to ensure security for the Champions Trophy 2025. The deployment process is set to begin in the coming days.

    According to reports, the federal cabinet has approved a summary from the Ministry of Interior, allowing the deployment of the Pakistan Army under Article 245. The Ministry of Interior is expected to issue an official notification regarding this decision today.

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), along with the Punjab and Sindh governments, had requested additional security measures for the tournament. Teams participating in the ICC Champions Trophy are scheduled to start arriving in Pakistan from February 12.

    To ensure foolproof security, the Ministry of Interior has issued directives to home departments.

    The security plan for the Champions Trophy will be implemented in three layers: police at the first level, Rangers at the second, and the Pakistan Army at the third level.

    The Champions Trophy is scheduled from February 19 to March 9 in Pakistan and the UAE.

  • Speeches against the army and judiciary will not be allowed: Speaker Ayaz Sadiq

    Speeches against the army and judiciary will not be allowed: Speaker Ayaz Sadiq

    Speaker of the National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq said on Friday, “Pakistan’s constitution declares that there can be no talk against the armed forces and the judiciary; therefore, speeches against the army and the judiciary will be stopped.”

    In the past and the present, both the opposition and the government benches have discussed diverse topics, including the country’s institutions.

    Ayaz Sadiq said in an informal conversation with the Parliamentary Reporters Association (PRA) yesterday: ‘I am not talking about retired judiciary members. I am talking about the present service that we cannot talk by taking their name in this way. Speeches against the judiciary and the army will not be aired; we will cut them. We give maximum time to the opposition on our website but will cut such speeches.”

    On the topic of the recent failed attempt by the coalition government to pass the constitutional amendments, the speaker expressed ignorance over the details of the draft.

    He also stated that law enforcement agencies have no role in postponing the sessions of parliament even though, in the past, that was true.

    “In the past, we were told that the NAB Chairman could not be called into the parliament, and the session of NA used to be cancelled,” revealed Sadiq.

  • Army has sought 3,400 kanals near Islamabad for defence purposes

    Army has sought 3,400 kanals near Islamabad for defence purposes

    The Pakistan Army has written a letter to Deputy Commissioner (DC) Haripur to hand over more than thirty-four hundred kanals of land for defence purposes.

    The letter revealed that the Pakistani army authorities are seeking 3,181 land kanals and 17 marlas from Haripur tehsil, Khanpur, for “defence purposes.” However, the defence purpose has not been defined, BBC Urdu reported.

    Lately, the opposition leader of the National Assembly, Omar Ayub Khan, raised concerns about the Army’s intentions to acquire two villages’ land adjacent to the ShahAllah Ditta area near Islamabad.

    “The Army will buy their land at a lower price. Where will the villagers migrate,” he questioned

    He added, “Army should build Defence installation on Navy golf course and Airforce land.”

    He suggested sending this matter to the Defence Committee to prevent the army from seizing the land.

    However, DC Haripur, Shozab Abbasi, stated that all procedures must be carried out in compliance with the land acquisition law.

  • Lt Gen Satti becomes head of FPSC

    Lt Gen Satti becomes head of FPSC

    President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari has approved the appointment of Lieutenant General Akhtar Nawaz Satti as Chairman of the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC).

    Satti will take charge of the post after he retires from the army. The post has been vacant since August 22, The News reported.

    According to the FPSC website, the Commission comprises a Chairman and Members. The Chairman is appointed by the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, at his discretion, under Article 242 (IA) of the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973.

    Moreover, the President appointed members on the advice of the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The Secretary assists the Commission and provides a link between the Commission, its Secretariat, and the government agencies.

  • We now know the names of the officers arrested with Faiz

    We now know the names of the officers arrested with Faiz

    Sources have revealed the names of the three most senior retired military officers who were taken into army custody for acting as messengers between former Chief of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Faiz Hameed and senior politicians.

    The officers identified are Brigadier (retd) Ghaffar and Brigadier (retd) Naeem and Colonel Asim, who were allegedly involved in a communication network with politicians.

    Both Brigadiers are from Chakwal and are considered close associates of the former spymaster.

    Earlier, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a statement claiming that three senior-ranking officers had been taken into custody for compromising military discipline.

  • LEAs arrest former Adiala Jail deputy superintendent for allegedly acting as messenger for Khan

    LEAs arrest former Adiala Jail deputy superintendent for allegedly acting as messenger for Khan

    Law enforcement agencies have arrested Muhammad Akram, the former deputy superintendent of Punjab prisons, who was transferred from Adiala Jail in June this year, on charges of “facilitating Imran Khan as a messenger,” Dawn News reported.

    He was reportedly picked up from the jail colony.

    The arrest follows the military’s detention of retired Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, the former head of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), on charges of violating the Army Act.

    The founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been imprisoned for over a year, with multiple cases filed against him, including the Toshakhana case, the cypher case, and the un-Islamic marriage case.

  • Boxer Amir Khan wants to resolve issues between Imran Khan and establishment

    Boxer Amir Khan wants to resolve issues between Imran Khan and establishment

    British-Pakistani boxer Amir Khan has stated that if given the opportunity by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, he is eager to have a “one-on-one meeting with Imran Khan” to find common grounds for resolving issues, journalist Murtaza Ali Shah reported.

    “I have known Imran Khan for a long time, and he is a dear friend whom I deeply respect. I am willing to act as a mediator and help resolve any disputes between both parties,” said Khan, wanting to play the role of arbitrator between the establishment and Imran Khan.

    He also stated that he has “great respect for the COAS, and his incredible work for Pakistan,” adding that he firmly believes that a personal conversation with the former prime minister could lead to a breakthrough.

    The former professional boxer stated that he was ready to travel to Pakistan to resolve the issues between the two parties and ensure the prosperity of Pakistan.

  • Khan says it would be ‘foolish’ not to have excellent relations with army

    Khan says it would be ‘foolish’ not to have excellent relations with army

    Founder of Pakistan Tehreek Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan said in an interview with Reuters that it would be “foolish” not to have excellent relations with the Pakistan Army while also clarifying that he held no grudges against the United States, whom he previously blamed for conspiring against his government in 2022.

    “Given Pakistan’s geographical position and the military’s significant role in the private sector, it would be foolish not to foster such a relationship,” said Khan.

    He also clarified that he criticises certain “individuals” in the army but not the institution, saying, “The miscalculations of the military leadership shouldn’t be held against the institution as a whole.”

    Today, August 5, marks a whole year since Khan was arrested and charged with multiple crimes, ranging from selling state gifts to leaking state secrets.

    Last week, Khan offered “conditional negotiations” with the military establishment if “clean and transparent” elections were held and the “bogus” cases against his supporters were dropped.

    Khan also reiterated that talking with the government was futile since, according to him, the government has no public support.

  • Achakzai says protestors fired at army in Bannu incident

    Achakzai says protestors fired at army in Bannu incident

    The chairman of Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and ally of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Mahmood Khan Achakzai, recently appeared on a Dawn News programme, expressing solidarity with army in the recent Bannu protests.

    “DG ISPR’s press conference on the Bannu issue was completely correct. People within the protestors opened fire, and rumours were spread that Army killed scores of innocent people,” stated the key ally of PTI.

    Achakzai opined that according to their own investigation, it was found that some people amongst the protestors opened fire, due to which “one person got killed.”

    He also said, “My disagreement with the army is due to our difference of understanding in their constitutional role and I can say, without a doubt, the army did not fire at the protestors. In fact, they pelted stones at the Army.”