Mujahid Anwar appointed new Chief of Air Staff

ISLAMABAD: The government with the approval of the prime minister has designated Air Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan as the new Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, with effect from March 19. Air Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, presently Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, has superseded another decorated officer Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Farooq Habib, who was on the top of the seniority list.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had also appointed the incumbent naval chief in October, last year. Born on 23rd December, 1962, Air Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan was commissioned in GD (P) Branch of Pakistan Air Force in December, 1983 and is the recipient of coveted Sword of Honour, Best Pilot Trophy and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gold Medal from PAF Academy Asghar Khan.

During his tenure of service he has held various Command and Staff appointments including Command of a Fighter Squadron, a Tactical Attack Wing, Base Commander of two elite F-16 Bases and Air Officer Commanding of Regional Air Command. He is a qualified Flying Instructor and graduate of Combat Commanders’ School, Command and Staff College, Jordan, Air War College, Faisal and National Defence University, Islamabad.

He has also served as Personal Staff Officer to Chief of the Air Staff, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Operations), Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Operations) and Director General C4I at Air Headquarters, Islamabad. Presently, he is holding two appointments as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Support) and Director General Air Force Strategic Command at Air Headquarters, Islamabad. The Air Officer has flown various training and fighter aircraft including F-16, F-6, FT-5, T-37 and MFI-17.

In recognition of his meritorious services, he has been awarded Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military), Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Military). Meanwhile Director General of Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor has congratulated Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan on appointment as Chief of Air Staff Pakistan Air Force (PAF).

In a twitter message on Friday, the DG ISPR said, “Congrats to Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan on appointment as Chief of Air Staff Pakistan Air Force. Best wishes from Pakistan Armed Forces. Good luck for carrying forward the baton.