Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday submitted a summary to President Asif Ali Zardari in which he proposed to extend the tenure of Chief Marshal of Pakistan Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu by one year.
The tenure of Air Chief Marshal Sidhu, a four-star officer and the 16th Chief of Staff of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), was set to end on Saturday and his retirement was scheduled for March 18.
Taking over the Air Force Command on 19 March 2021 from his predecessor ACM Mujahid Anwar Khan, Air Chief Marshal Sidhu has demonstrated exemplary leadership during his tenure.
According to military protocol, the appointment of the Chief of Air Staff is the statutory office of the Air Chief Marshal in the PAF. This appointment was made by the Prime Minister of Pakistan and confirmed by the President of Pakistan, signifying the importance of this role in the country’s defense establishment.
A deep commitment to service and excellence marks Air Chief Marshal Sidhu’s career path. In 1986, he joined the GD (Pilot) branch of PAF as a fighter pilot and served in various capacities including fighter squadrons, operational air bases and regional headquarters.
His pursuit of academic excellence led him to attend prestigious institutions such as the Combat Commanders School, Air War College, and the Royal College of Defense Studies in the United Kingdom, further enhancing his strategic vision and leadership skills.
His varied experience within the PAF includes serving as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff for Operational Research and Development, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff for Officer Training, Director General of Projects at Air Headquarters Islamabad, and Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Defence.
In recognition of his meritorious services, Air Chief Sidhu was awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military) and Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Military), highlighting his invaluable contribution to the defense of the nation.
