ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has extended the tenure of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu by a year, a day before the air chief was due to retire.
Sidhu’s term was set to end on Saturday and he was due to retire on March 18.
The four-star Pakistan Air Force (PAF) officer and 16th Chief of the Air Staff took over the command of the Air Force on 19 March 2021 from his predecessor ACM Mujahid Anwar Khan.
The Chief of the Air Staff is a military appointment and statutory position held by the Air Chief Marshal of the Pakistan Air Force who is appointed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan and ultimately confirmed by the President of Pakistan.
Babar joined the GD (Pilot) branch of the PAF in 1986 as a fighter pilot. He also served with fighter squadrons, operational air bases and regional headquarters.
He attended Combat Commanders School, Air War College and Royal College of Defense Studies in the United Kingdom for higher studies.
He also served as Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Operational Research and Development), Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Training Officers) and Director General of Projects at Air Headquarters Islamabad.
Babar also served as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Defence.
He was awarded Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military) and Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Military) for his services.
