Tenure of Pakistan Air Chief extended for one-year
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has granted a one-year extension to
Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu's tenure.
The premier forwarded the summary for the air chief's extension to
President Asif Ali Zardari, who signed it on Sunday evening.
Following the president's approval, PM Shehbaz extended ACM
Sidhu's tenure by one year, allowing him to lead the flypast during the
Pakistan Day Parade on March 23.
Pakistan
hosted 14-nation aerial warfare exercise 'Indus Shield 2023' in full swing
ACM Zaheer Babar, who assumed command of the Pakistan Air Force
(PAF) on March 19, 2021, is the 16th chief and was due to retire on March 18
(today).
Born on April 16, 1965, Air Marshal Sidhu was commissioned in the
GD(P) Branch of PAF in April 1986. Throughout his career, he has commanded a
Fighter Squadron, a Flying Wing, an Operational Air Base, and a Regional Air
Command.
In his staff roles, he has served as Assistant Chief of the Air
Staff (OR&D), Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Training-Officers), and
Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Defence.
Pakistan
Air Force base hosts induction and operationalization ceremony
The air chief has also held positions 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 the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS), UK.
In recognition of his exceptional service, Air Marshal Sidhu has
been honored with Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Military), Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military), and
Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) awards.
With the extension granted by PM Shehbaz, the air chief is set to
become the ninth highest-ranking officer of the PAF in the last 76 years to
serve for more than three years, according to research.
Source: Geo TV