Air Chief Marshal
Zaheer Ahmad Babar
NI(M)  HI(M)  SI(M)  TI(M)
16th Chief of Air Staff
Assumed office
19 March 2021
PresidentArif Alvi
Prime MinisterShehbaz Sharif
Imran Khan
Preceded byACM Mujahid Anwar Khan
Personal details
Born16 April 1965 (1965-04-16) (age 58)
Sidh, Punjab, Pakistan
Alma mater
SignatureZaheer's signature
Military service
AllegiancePakistan
Branch/servicePakistan Air Force
Years of service1986 – present
RankAir Chief Marshal
Commands
Awards

Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu NI(M) HI(M) SI(M) TI(M) (Urdu: ظہیر احمد بابر سدھو) is a Pakistani military officer who serves as the Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force, in office since 19 March 2021. On 19 March 2021, Babar took over command of the Pakistan Air Force from his predecessor ACM Mujahid Anwar Khan.[1]

Zaheer was granted a one-year extension to his tenure on 17 March 2024, making him the second chief in Pakistan Air Force history to receive such an extension after Anwar Shamim, who received an extension during the military government of Gen Zia Ul Haq in 1981.[2]

Personal life

Babar Sidhu was born on 16 April 1965[3][4][5] into a Punjabi Muslim family. He comes from a Jatt family from the Sidhu clan.

Babar Sidhu was born to religious scholar Hakeem Ghulam Muhammad and hails from Sidh village in Gujrat District.[6][7]

He is the brother of Chaudhary Naseer Ahmed Abbas,[8] who was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan from the Constituency NA-65 Gujrat-IV on the ticket of Pakistan Muslim League (N) in 2024 Pakistani general election.[9]

Career

Babar Sidhu was commissioned in GD (P) Branch of Pakistan Air Force in April 1986. During his 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 (Operational Requirement & Development), 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, Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Air Defence) and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Administration) at Air Headquarters Islamabad.[10]

He is a graduate of Combat Commanders' School (PAK), Command & Staff College (UK), National Defence University (PAK), and Royal College of Defence Studies (UK). He also holds a master's degree in Strategic Studies.[citation needed]

In recognition of his services, he has been awarded with Tamgha-i-lmtiaz (Military), Sitara-i-lmtiaz (Military), Hilal-i-lmtiaz (Military) and Nishan-i-lmtiaz (Military).[11]

Reportedly, he had not piloted F-16s but only Mirage III and V aircraft..[12]

Chief of the Air Staff

Babar Sidhu was serving as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Administration at the Air Headquarters in Islamabad before being appointed as Chief of Air Staff on 17 March 2021.[6][7] He assumed charge on 19 March 2021, succeeding Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan.[6]

According to a "White Paper" published in November 2023, Babar Sidhu was not the most senior officer in his batch. However, he received assistance in rising to the top position in the air force by then Director General of the ISI Faiz Hameed and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa. This support was attributed to his Chakwal background and belonging to the "Jutt" community, which is the same clan as General Bajwa. It also claimed that Babar Sidhu retirement approaching in March 2024, but he is reportedly lobbying for an extension.[12][13]

On 17 March, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif extended Babar Sidhu's tenure by one year, just a day before his scheduled retirement.[14][15][16]

Ayesha Siddiqa, in an article for The Friday Times, expressed concerns regarding the approval of a one-year extension for Sidhu. She highlighted potential implications on the Air Force's reputation for professionalism. Additionally, she noted speculations within certain circles regarding the influence of Chaudhary Naseer Ahmed Abbas, Sidhu's brother's affiliation with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in securing the extension.[17]

Controversy

In November 2023, Pakistani journalist Wajahat Saeed Khan reported that a detailed "White Paper" had surfaced, purportedly written by a Pakistan Air Force insider following the Mianwali air base attack on 4 November 2023. The document alleges large-scale corruption, nepotism, and kickbacks by the air chief, Babar Sidhu. The allegations involve housing land deals in Islamabad, the procurement of new aircraft, deliberate delays in refurbishing the Falcon F-16 program, and attempts to merge the JF-17 production unit at the Kamra air base into a proposed new "Technology Park" in Kharian.[12][13]

BOL Network dismissed the white paper report alleging corruption by the air chief, labeling it a "fictitious story."[18]

JF-17 Thunder deal with Azerbaijani Air Forces

In February 2024, the Pakistan Air Force inked its largest export agreement in the nation's history with the Azerbaijan Air Force, entailing the sale of JF-17C Block-III fighter jets valued at $1.6 billion.[19]

Awards and decorations

1988
PAF GD(P) Badge BLUE (More than 2000 flying hours)
Jamhuriat Tamgha

(Democracy Medal)

Nishan-e-Imtiaz

(Military)

(Order of Excellence)

Hilal-e-Imtiaz

(Military)

(Crescent of Excellence)

Sitara-e-Imtiaz

(Military)

(Star of Excellence)

Tamgha-e-Imtiaz

(Military)

(Medal of Excellence)

Tamgha-e-Baqa

(Nuclear Test Medal)

1998

Tamgha-e-Istaqlal Pakistan

(Escalation with India Medal)

2002

Tamgha-e-Azm

(Medal of Conviction)

(2018)

10 Years Service Medal
20 Years Service Medal 30 Years Service Medal 35 Years Service Medal Hijri Tamgha

(Hijri Medal)

1979

Qarardad-e-Pakistan Tamgha

(Resolution Day

Golden Jubilee Medal)

1990

Tamgha-e-Salgirah Pakistan

(Independence Day

Golden Jubilee Medal)

1997

Turkish

Legion of Merit[20]

2021

Order of King Abdulaziz

Foreign Decorations

Foreign Award
 Turkey Turkish Legion of Merit[20]

Effective dates of promotion

Insignia Rank Date
Air Chief Marshal (CAS) March 2021
Air Marshal July 2018
Air Vice Marshal July 2015
Air Commodore Sept 2012
Group Captain March 2007
Wing Commander August 2001
Squadron Leader Sept 1993
Flight Lieutenant March 1990
Flying Officer April 1988
Pilot Officer April 1986

References

  1. ^ "Zaheer Ahmad Babar appointed new chief of Pakistan Air Force". www.24newshd.tv. 17 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  2. ^ "PM gives one-year extension to PAF chief Zaheer Babar". The Nation. 18 March 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Zaheer takes over as PAF chief today: Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar retires today". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  4. ^ "Air Marshal Zaheer Babar Sidhu appointed new PAF Chief". The Nation. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Profile of Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu". Pakistan Air Force. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  6. ^ a b c "Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar takes charge of PAF chief". The Express Tribune. 19 March 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  7. ^ a b Siddiqui, Naveed (17 March 2021). "Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar named new PAF chief". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  8. ^ Butt, Waseem Ashraf (7 February 2024). "PPP trying hard to secure NA-65 for Kaira". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  9. ^ "Record number of newcomers enter NA". The Express Tribune. 15 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  10. ^ "PM Shehbaz Grants One-Year Extension To PAF Chief". The Friday Times. 18 March 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  11. ^ "Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Chauhdary Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, NI(M)". Pakistan: ISPR. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  12. ^ a b c BANERJI, RANA (21 November 2023). "Shenanigans Surface In Pakistan Military". Rediff. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  13. ^ a b "Paper Claims Not Everything In Air Force Is So White". The Friday Times. 21 November 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  14. ^ "Air chief gets one-year extension". DAWN.COM. 18 March 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  15. ^ "PM Shehbaz grants extension to Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Babar". Dunya News. 17 March 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  16. ^ Akbar, Naveed (17 March 2024). "PM Shehbaz grants one-year extension to PAF chief: sources". Aaj English TV. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  17. ^ "Myth Of Extension". The Friday Times. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  18. ^ Zahid, Muhammad (22 November 2023). "Report on social media about corruption of PAF chief rejected". BOL News. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  19. ^ "Pakistan signs largest ever fighter jet sale deal with Azerbaijan". Azernews.Az. 22 February 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  20. ^ a b "PAF chief awarded Turkish Legion of Merit". 24 News HD. 29 June 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
Categories