Zaheer Ahmad Babar
Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu | |
|---|---|
| 16th Chief of Air Staff | |
| Assumed office 19 March 2021 | |
| President | Arif Alvi Asif Ali Zardari |
| Prime Minister | Imran Khan Shehbaz Sharif |
| Preceded by | ACM Mujahid Anwar Khan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 April 1965 (age 60) Sidh, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Alma mater | |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Pakistan |
| Branch/service | Pakistan Air Force |
| Years of service | 1986 – present |
| Rank | Air Chief Marshal |
| Commands |
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| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military) Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Military) Turkish Legion of Merit Order of King Abdulaziz |
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Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu NI(M) HI(M) SI(M) TI(M) (Urdu: ظہیر احمد بابر سدھو born 16 April 1965) 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.
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 General Zia Ul Haq in 1981.
In November 2024, the Government of Pakistan revised the tenure of the service chiefs of the Pakistan Armed Forces from three to five years, which consequently extended Sidhu's term as air chief until March 2026.
Under Sidhu's command, Pakistan Air Forces has carried out four cross-border airstrikes against various terror groups involved in the activity against Pakistani state. This includes 2022 Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan, 2024 Pakistani airstrikes in Iran, March 2024 Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan and December 2024 Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan.