Pakistan appoints new air chief
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, March 8, IRNA -- Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the appointment of Air Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt as the country’s new Air Chief, presidential spokesman said.
The appointment has been made on the advice of the Prime Minister, Spokesman to the President, Farhatullah Babar said.
He said that Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman is due to retire on March 18 2012 on completion of three years tenure.
Air Narshal Tahir Rafique Butt would be granted the rank of the Air Chief Marshal from the date he assumes charge of the appointment, he said.
Air Marshal Butt joined PAF on March 6, 1977 as a GD pilot. He assumed the office of Vice Chief of the Air Staff on October 5, 2010. In recognition of his meritorious services, he has been decorated with Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military), Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Tamgha-i-Basalat.
Earlier reports indicated that five air marshals had been in the race to become the next air chief. However, being the most senior among them, the government has chosen Butt to be the new air chief.
Under the Constitution, the prime minister is given the prerogative to appoint three services chiefs. After Butt’s appointment, all eyes will now be on the prime minister to see whether he will grant further extensions to current Inter-Services Intelligence chief Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha, whose extended term also expires on March 18.
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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 80029844
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