Pakistan Army officer Julian Moazzam James is the first Special Service Group (SSG) commando and the third Christian to be promoted to the rank of Major General.
Army Selection Board meeting chaired by Army Chief General Asim Munir on Friday decided to promote 22 Brigadiers to the rank of Major General.
Among the promoted military officers, 13 Brigadiers are from Infantry while nine Brigadiers are from Armed Corps, Artillery, Air Defence, Aviation, Corps of Military Intelligence and EMA.
Christian officers who reached the rank of General in the Pakistan Army before Major General Julian Moazzam include Major General Noel Israel Khokhar and Major General Julian Peter, who have now retired from their posts.
The six Christian officers who reached the rank of general or equivalent are Air Vice Marshal Eric G. Hall (Star of Courage and Star of Basalt), Air Vice Marshal Michael John O'Brien (Medal of Courage and Star of Basalt), Air Admiral Norman Man Gone (Star of Basalt) and Sitara Amitaz Military), Major General (Late) Peter Julian, Major General Noel Israel Khokhar and Major General Julian Moazzam James.
Another officer who reached the rank of General in the Pakistan Army, Major General Kazeed Manik Sapariwala, belonged to the Parsi religion.
Farrukh James, the elder brother of Major General Julian Muazzam James, has also been associated with the army, who has now retired as a major.
Born in Narowal District of Punjab Province, Major General Julian Moazzam James joined the Special Forces SSG of the Pakistan Army after being commissioned in the Air Defense Regiment - he belongs to 92 Long Course.
He served as Defense Attaché in Nigeria for three years besides commanding SSG Brigade Tarbela, and Air Defense Brigade Sargodha.
He has done Air Defense Staff Course, Intelligence Staff Course, Pakistan Staff Course, National Security War Course.
Dr. Isaac Asher, one of the close friends of Major General Julian James, described the promotion of Julian Muazzam James to the rank of Major General as a moment of pride not only for Major General James and his family but also for the Christian community in Pakistan.
In a conversation with Independent Urdu, he said that the promotion of Christian commandos on the basis of merit is a historical milestone of the armed forces of Pakistan. Major General Julian Muazzam James has created history as the first Christian commando officer of the elite Special Services Group and received this honor in the 76-year history of the Pakistan Army.
Azad Marshall, president of the Bishops' Church of Pakistan, expressed his joy at the news on X, saying, 'It is a very proud day for Christians in Pakistan as we celebrate the promotion of a remarkable Major General. Making history as the 'First SSG Christian Commando Officer' Major General Julian Moazzam James in the 76 year history of Pakistan Army, this milestone is a matter of pride for us.'
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