Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar takes charge as PAF Chief

ISLAMABAD: Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu took charge as the new Air Chief of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) at an impressive change of command ceremony in Islamabad.

On the occasion, outgoing Air Chief Mujahid Anwar Khan pinned badges on the new air chief and presented him the command sword. He also reviewed a guard of honour, while a formation of JF-17 fighter jets presented salute to him for his services.

In his farewell address, outgoing Air Chief Mujahid Anwar Khan said serving Pakistan Air Force over four decades has been a privilege, honor and a matter of immense satisfaction for him. He said the PAF is a strong element of national defense and pride of the nation.

The outgoing Air Chief said the air force once again lived up to the expectations of the nation and proved to be guardians of blue skies in the operation Swift Retort. He said our response was timely and well-calibrated and kept the adversary at bay.

He said despite testing times, the PAF has made great strides on its journey to excellence and continued transformation for the Next Generation Air Force 2047. He said our vision requires relentless pursuit in the years and decades to come.

Congratulating Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu on his appointment as the Air Chief, Mujahid Anwar Khan said his successor is a sound professional with extraordinary leadership qualities. He expressed the confidence that during his tenure, the PAF will scale to new heights of excellence.

Prime Minister Imran Khan had approved the name of Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar as the new chief of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).

Air Marshal Babar was promoted as vice-marshal in July 2018. Having commanded a fighter squadron, an operational airbase, and regional air command, Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar was commissioned in the GD (P) branch of the PAF in April 1986.

During his career, Zaheer served as assistant air chief for operation research and development (R&D), assistant air chief for training officers, and the director-general of projects at the Air Headquarters in Islamabad.

A graduate of the Combat Commanders’ School, Air War College, and the United Kingdom’s Royal College of Defence Studies, he has also served as the additional secretary at the Ministry of Defence. He has been awarded Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Military) in recognition of his outstanding services.