Army Commissions First Sikh Officer

April 15, 2006

Source: Rediff

http://in.rediff.com/news/2006/apr/15sikh.htm

On April 15, 2006 Rediff reported, "A man hailing from the birthplace of Guru Nanak Saturday became the first Sikh in Pakistan to be commissioned into the army. Wearing a blue turban and sporting a traditional beard, Hercharan Singh of Nankana Sahib marched to the military tunes at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul and was formally commissioned into the army at a ceremony presided over by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. 'I am proud to be a Pakistani and to join Pakistan Army,' state run APP quoted Singh as saying... He had earlier joined the National College of Arts, but opted to serve as an officer in Pakistani Army later. The Pakistani armed forces have some Christian officers, but Singh is the first Sikh."