Air Marshal Zaheer Babar Sidhu appointed new PAF Chief

ISLAMABAD – The government has appointed Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu as new chief of Pakistan Air Force (PAF).

He will take charge of his office tomorrow after the retirement of incumbent PAF Chief, Air Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan. Khan is retiring today on completion of his three-year tenure.

President Arif Alvi appointed Sidhu as the Air Chief on the advice of Prime Minister Imran Khan. Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan will hand over command of the PAF to his successor at a change-of-command ceremony to be held at the Air Headquarters here tomorrow.

Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar was serving as Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Administration). He hails from Gujrat, according to the official sources.

Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan spent an eventful tenure which also saw Operation Swift Retort on February 27, 2019 when PAF fighter jets conducted air strikes at six locations in Indian Occupied Kashmir while remaining within the Pakistan’s air space. President Alvi also awarded outgoing Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Civil) for his remarkable services as the Air Chief.

This year the Pakistan Day Parade will see new Chief of Air Staff leading the fly past on March 23.

Born on 16 April, 1965 Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Baber Sidhu was commissioned in GD (P) Branch of Pakistan Air Force in April, 1986. During his dazzling 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 (OR&D), Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Training-Officers) and Additional Secretary at Ministry of Defence. He also served as Director General Projects, Director General Air Force Strategic Command and Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Air Defence) at Air Headquarters Islamabad. He is a graduate of Combat Commanders’ School, Air War College and Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS), UK. In recognition of his outstanding services, he has been awarded with Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Military), Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military).