Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Baber is the 23rd Chief of Air Staff of Pakistan Air Force
Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Baber took over the command of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) as the 23rd Chief of the Air Staff, in a change of command ceremony held at Air Headquarters in Islamabad on March 19.
The outgoing Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, decorated Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Baber Sidhu with the ranks of Air Chief Marshal and handed him over the “Command Sword”.
To bid farewell to the outgoing Air Chief, PAF’s four-ship formation of JF-17 Thunder aircraft presented a farewell flypast.
In his farewell address, the outgoing chief Mujahid Anwar Khan said that “I cannot think of a greater honour than leading one of the finest air forces of the world.”
Recalling the PAF’s achievement in Operation Swift Retort, he said, “Alhamd-u-lillah! PAF once again lived up to the nation’s expectations and proved to be the Guardians of our free blue skies through timely a and well-calibrated response, which kept the enemy at bay.”
He further said that PAF had made great strides on its journey to excellence and continued transformation for a Next Generation Air Force – 2047.
Congratulating the new Air Chief he said, “My successor is a sound professional with extraordinary leadership qualities and above all, he is an excellent human being.” He also wished the new air chief all the success in his new assignment. “I am confident that during his tenure of command, Pakistan Air Force shall scale to new heights of excellence, InshaAllah!”
Profile of new PAF chief
Born in 1965, Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Baber was commissioned in GD (P) Branch of Pakistan Air Force in April 1986.
During his remarkable 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 has 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. Before appointment as CAS, he was serving as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Administration) at Headquarters Islamabad
In recognition of his outstanding services, he has been awarded with Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Military), Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military).