Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has given Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu a one-year extension in his job, as reported by The News on Monday.
The prime minister sent a request to President Asif Ali Zardari, who approved it on Sunday evening. Following the president’s approval, PM Shehbaz granted ACM Sidhu the extension. He will lead the flypast on Pakistan Day Parade on March 23.
ACM Zaheer Babar became the head of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on March 19, 2021, as the 16th chief. He was supposed to retire on March 18. Born on April 16, 1965, Air Marshal Sidhu joined the PAF in April 1986. Throughout his career, he has led various units and held important positions, including commanding a Fighter Squadron, a Flying Wing, an Operational Air Base, and a Regional Air Command.
He has also served in staff roles, such as assistant chief of the air staff (OR&D), assistant chief of the air staff (training-officers), and additional secretary at the Ministry of Defence. For his exceptional service, he has been honored with Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Military), Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military), and Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military).
After receiving the extension from PM Shehbaz, the air chief will become one of the few officers in the PAF’s history to serve for more than three years, making him the ninth highest-ranking officer in the last 76 years.
