President honours new air chief with Nishan-e-Imtiaz

Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu also meets COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa at GHQ

ISLAMABAD:

President Dr Arif Alvi conferred Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) upon Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu at a special investiture ceremony held in Islamabad on Monday.

The prestigious award was given to the air chief as a tribute to his professional services and achievements while serving the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).

Air Chief Marshal Zaheer took charge of the PAF as its new air chief in a change of command ceremony in Islamabad on March 19.

The new air chief also called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at GHQ earlier today, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The army chief congratulated ACM Zaheer on assumption of command of one of the most decorated and battle hardened air forces in the world. Gen Qamar expressed his best wishes and hoped that Pakistan Air Force will achieve new heights under his capable command.

The new air chief hails from Sadh village in Punjab’s Gujrat district and was serving as Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Administration) at the Air Headquarters in Islamabad.

Babar joined GD (Pilot) branch of the PAF in 1986 as a fighter pilot. He has also served in fighter squadrons, operational airbases and regional commands.

Also read: Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu appointed as new PAF chief

He attended Combat Commanders School, Air War College and Royal College of Defense Studies in the United Kingdom for higher studies.

Babar has also served as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Operations Research and Development), Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Training Officers) and Director General of Projects at Air Headquarters Islamabad.

The new air chief also served as an additional secretary in the ministry of defence. He was awarded Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military) and Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Military) in recognition of his services.