Zaheer Ahmad Babar

Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu NI(M)&ensp;HI(M)&ensp;SI(M)&ensp;TI(M) 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 Gen Zia Ul Haq in 1981.

Personal life
Babar Sidhu was born on 16 April 1965 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.

He is the brother of Chaudhary Naseer Ahmed Abbas, 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.

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.

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.

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).

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

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. He assumed charge on 19 March 2021, succeeding Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.