The Government of Pakistan has appointed Air Marshal Shahid Lateef as Vice Chief of the Air Staff. According to the DPR Air, Air Marshal Shahid Lateef was commissioned in General Duties (Pilot) Branch in 1974 and earned the coveted Sword of Honour on graduation from PAF Academy, Risalpur.
He has served as a fighter pilot in various squadrons of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and was among the pioneers of F-16 induction programme in the PAF. He also served in Abu Dhabi Air Force on deputation.
During his career, he has commanded a Fighter Squadron, a Fighter Wing, and an operational Air Base. He has held various key staff appointments at the Air Headquarters, including that in the JF-17 Project.
He has been associated with the development and production programme of JF-17 Thunder aircraft for nearly eight years, initially as Deputy Chief Project Director and later, for five years, as Chief Project Director. In his last assignment, the Air Marshal was serving as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Operations) since April, 2006.
In recognition of his meritorious services he has been awarded Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military), Sitar-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Sitara-i-Basalat. Meanwhile, Air Vice Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman has been promoted to the rank of Air Marshal. He got commission in Pakistan Air Force in June 1975 in Flying Branch. Rao Qamar Suleman is a graduate of Flying Instructors' School, Combat Commanders' School, PAF Air War College and National Defence University, Islamabad.
During his career he has commanded a Fighter Squadron, a Fighter Wing, an Operational Air Base and a Regional Air Command. He has also been Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Plans) and Director General Air Force Strategic Command at Air Headquarters, Islamabad.
The Air Officer has been Commandant of PAF Air War College. He also served in Abu Dhabi Air Force on deputation. He is recipient of Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Sitara-i-Basalat.
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