Zaheer Ahmad Babar
NI(M)HI(M)SI(M)TI(M)
16th Chief of Air Staff
Assumed office
19 March 2021
PresidentArif Alvi
Prime MinisterShehbaz Sharif
Imran Khan
Preceded byACM Mujahid Anwar Khan
Personal details
Born16 April 1965 (1965-04-16) (age 58)
Sidh, Punjab, Pakistan
Alma mater
SignatureZaheer's signature
Military service
AllegiancePakistan
Branch/servicePakistan Air Force
Years of service1986 – present
RankAir Chief Marshal
Commands
Awards

Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar NI(M)HI(M)SI(M)TI(M) (Urdu: ظہیر احمد بابر سدھو) is the current 16th Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force. On 19 March 2021, Babar took over command of the Pakistan Air Force from his predecessor ACM Mujahid Anwar Khan.[1]

Personal life

Babar was born on 16 April 1965, into a Punjabi Muslim jutt family from the Sidhu clan.[2]

Career

Air Chief Marshal Chauhdary Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu was commissioned in GD (P) Branch of Pakistan Air Force in April, 1986. During his illustrious career, he has commanded a Fighter Squadron, a Flying Wing, an Operational Air Base and Regional Air Command. In his staff appointments, he has served as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Operational Requirement & Development), Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Training-Officers) and Additional Secretary at Ministry of Defence. He has also served as Director General Projects, Director General Air Force Strategic Command, Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Air Defence) and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Administration) at Air Headquarters Islamabad.

He is a graduate of Combat Commanders' School (PAK), Command & Staff College (UK), National Defence University (PAK), and Royal College of Defence Studies (UK). He also holds a master's degree in Strategic Studies.[3] In recognition of his outstanding services, he has been awarded with Tamgha-i-lmtiaz (Military), Sitara-i-lmtiaz (Military), Hilal-i-lmtiaz (Military) and Nishan-i-lmtiaz (Military).[4]

Chief of the Air Staff

On 17 March 2021, Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan appointed him as Chief of Air Staff and he assumed charge on 19 March 2021. He also met with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on assuming office.[5][6]

Awards and decorations

PAF GD(P) Badge BLUE (More than 2000 flying hours)
Nishan-e-Imtiaz

(Military)

(Order of Excellence)

Hilal-e-Imtiaz

(Military)

(Crescent of Excellence)

Sitara-e-Imtiaz

(Military)

(Star of Excellence)

Tamgha-e-Imtiaz

(Military)

(Medal of Excellence)

Tamgha-e-Baqa

(Nuclear Test Medal)

1998

Tamgha-e-Istaqlal Pakistan

(Escalation with India Medal)

2002

Tamgha-e-Azm

(Medal of Conviction)

(2018)

10 Years Service Medal
20 Years Service Medal 30 Years Service Medal 35 Years Service Medal Hijri Tamgha

(Hijri Medal)

1979

Jamhuriat Tamgha

(Democracy Medal)

1988

Qarardad-e-Pakistan Tamgha

(Resolution Day

Golden Jubilee Medal)

1990

Tamgha-e-Salgirah Pakistan

(Independence Day

Golden Jubilee Medal)

1997

Turkish

Legion of Merit[7][8]

2021

Foreign Decorations

Foreign Award
 Turkey Turkish Legion of Merit[7][8]

Effective dates of promotion

InsigniaRankDate
Air Chief Marshal (CAS)March, 2021
Air MarshalJuly, 2018
Air Vice MarshalJuly, 2015
Air CommodoreSept, 2012
Group CaptainMarch, 2007
Wing CommanderAugust, 2001
Squadron LeaderSept, 1993
Flight LieutenantMarch, 1990
Flying OfficerApril, 1988
Pilot OfficerApril, 1986

References

  1. "Zaheer Ahmad Babar appointed new chief of Pakistan Air Force". www.24newshd.tv. 17 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  2. "Air Chief Zaheer Ahmad Babar pays respects at religious scholar Hakeem Ghulam Muhamamd's grave in Gujrat village". 12 June 2021.
  3. "Two Air Officers & Six Air Commodore promoted to the next rank". Lahoreworld.com. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  4. "Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Chauhdary Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, NI(M)". Pakistan: ISPR. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  5. "Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar appointed new Pakistan Air Force chief". En.dailypakistan.com.pk. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  6. "Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar appointed as new air chief". Dunya News. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  7. 1 2 "AIR CHIEF AWARDED WITH TURKISH LEGION OF MERIT – Second To None Pakistan Air Force Magazine". Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  8. 1 2 "PAF chief awarded Turkish Legion of Merit". 24 News HD. 29 June 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
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