Pakistan army has recruited a Hindu for the first time in its nearly 60-year-old history, months after it commissioned a Sikh youth.
Danesh formally donned the Pakistan army colours at a parade in Islamabad on Saturday along with fellow recruits.
Danesh, who hails from Tharparker district in rural Sindh bordering Rajasthan, said he was inspired by Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf to join the forces.
"President Musharraf has all the qualities that a great leader should possess," he was quoted as saying by state-run APP news agency.
To a question, he said: "It is my country, and I will serve it to the best of my capabilities and energy to bring a good name to it. We live here as brothers. It never occurred to my mind that I belonged to a religion other than Islam."
Minorities in Pakistan are allowed to sit in all examinations, including the one conducted by Inter Services Selection Board but only a Sikh has been selected for the army service since the country's inception. However, many Christians serve in the army.
Harcharan Singh of Nankana Sahib was the first Sikh in the country to get into the Pakistani armed forces on April 15 this year.
