Zaheer Ahmad Babar

Air Chief Marshal
Zaheer Ahmad Babar
NI(M) HI(M) SI(M) TI(M)
Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar NI(M) HI(M) SI(M) TI(M)
16th Chief of Air Staff
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; 19 March 2021
President	Arif Alvi
Prime Minister	Shehbaz Sharif; Imran Khan
Preceded by	ACM Mujahid Anwar Khan
Personal details
Born	16 April 1965 (age 58); Sidh, Punjab, Pakistan
Alma mater	Combat Commanders' School (PAK); Command & Staff College (UK); National Defence University (PAK); Royal College of Defence Studies (UK);
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	Pakistan
Branch/service	Pakistan Air Force
Years of service	1986 – present
Rank	Air Chief Marshal
Commands	DCAS (Administration); DCAS (Air Defence); ACAS (Training Officers); ACAS (Ops Req & Develop); DG Projects; DG Air Force Strategic Command; Additional Secretary (II), Ministry of Defence; PAF Base Minhas; 15th Squadron (Cobras);
Awards	Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military); Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military); Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military); Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Military); Turkish Legion of Merit;

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

Insignia	Rank	Date
	Air Chief Marshal (CAS)	March, 2021
	Air Marshal	July, 2018
	Air Vice Marshal	July, 2015
	Air Commodore	Sept, 2012
	Group Captain	March, 2007
	Wing Commander	August, 2001
	Squadron Leader	Sept, 1993
	Flight Lieutenant	March, 1990
	Flying Officer	April, 1988
	Pilot Officer	April, 1986

References

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

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[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.

[:0-7] "AIR CHIEF AWARDED WITH TURKISH LEGION OF MERIT – Second To None Pakistan Air Force Magazine". Retrieved 28 August 2022.

[:1-8] "PAF chief awarded Turkish Legion of Merit". 24 News HD. 29 June 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2022.