Noel Israel Khokhar


Noel Israel Khokhar is a Major General, the highest ranking Christian serving officer in the Pakistan Army.

Early life

He was born in Lahore and attended at St. Anthony's High School and Forman Christian College. Khokhar joined the Pakistan Army in 1976 and was commissioned in an artillery unit in 1980.

Career

He served in a variety of command and staff positions as well as with the United Nations. He has also been an instructor in Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul, Command Staff College, Quetta and the National Defence University in Islamabad. Is a graduate of Inter arms Defence College Paris France and Royal College of Defence Studies UK. Holds master's degrees from Quaid e Azam University Islamabad and Kings College London and PhD in International Relations.
On May 9, 2009, the Army Promotion Board in Rawalpindi promoted Brigadier Khokhar to the rank of major general.
According to an Inter Services Public Relations Press Release dated September 6, 2010, Khokhar was General Officer Commanding in 2010.
In 2011 Major General Khokhar commanded the 23rd Division. Khokhar has also been Chief Instructor of the A-Division at the National Defence University, Islamabad. In 2011 the President of Pakistan awarded Khokhar the Hilal-i-Imtiaz. Currently serving as DG ISSRA a think tank at NDU.
In 2011 he was also on the Editorial Board of the National Defence University Journal, Islamabad. He is among those Christian officers who have made to the rank of a general.