Harcharan Singh

Twenty one year old Harcharan Singh has become Pakistan's first Sikh army officer. Graduated from the Pakistani Military Academy, Singh marched in step with his fellow cadets before Pakistani Army's vice chief, Lt Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kiyani, during the passing out parade on Saturday.

The 21-year-old officer joined his relatives and friends from Nankana Sahib once the official ceremony was over. Cadet Haracharan Singh first came into the limelight in 2005 when he became the first member of Pakistan's minority Sikh community to be recruited by the Army.

Harcharan Singh said that it is a matter of great privilege to be given a chance to join the Pakistani army. "With the passage of time, I will prove that we (Sikhs) are more loyal than our Muslim brothers. I thank the Pakistan army that I have been given this chance," he said.