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.