27 Facts About Anwar Shamim

Anwar Shamim died in January 2013 and was buried with full state honours.

Anwar Shamim was born in Haripur, Hazara District, North-West Frontier Province in the British Indian Empire, on 31 October 1931.

Anwar Shamim came from an academic family, his parents were teachers at the local school.

Anwar Shamim received his early education and matriculated from Government College in Campbellpur before becoming the member of the University Air Squadron of the Royal Air Force.

In 1963, Squadron-Leader Anwar Shamim took over the command of the No 11 Squadron Arrows, which he commanded until 1965.

In 1965, Wing-Commander Anwar Shamim took over the command of No 33 Wing as its officer commanding, and participated in the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 with India.

Anwar Shamim played a crucial role in advising about the importance of air superiority to King Hussain of Jordan during the Six-Day War with Israel.

Anwar Shamim's efforts won praise from King Hussain of Jordan, who honoured him with a national decoration.

In 1971, Anwar Shamim returned to Pakistan and was appointed as base commander of Masroor Air Force Base, mainly focusing on aerial defence, though he continued directing combat air operations.

On 23 July 1978, when ACM Zulfikar Ali Khan completed an extended tenure of four years, Air Commodore Anwar Shamim was promoted to ACM and appointed Chief of the Air Staff.

Once appointed as Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Anwar Shamim began taking initiatives to modernize the air force by acquiring fighter jets from the United States and China.

In 1983, ACM Anwar Shamim was given another extension as an air chief for two more year.

In 1979, ACM Anwar Shamim notified President General Zia-ul-Haq that Kahuta's Engineering Research Laboratories was an indefensible site because it was at three minutes flying time for the Indian Air Force from the Indo-Pakistani border, while the reaction time for the Pakistan Air Force's fighter jets would be about eight minutes, resulting in the enemy completing the job and returning to their base safely.

ACM Anwar Shamim explored the idea of defending their nuclear deterrence by suggesting acquiring American F-16s, allowing the PAF to have a second strike capability to destroying the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre at Trombay, India.

ACM Anwar Shamim refused to acquire Northrop F-5E aircraft from the United States, and provided a strong advocacy for acquiring the F-16s.

In 1980, ACM Anwar Shamim led successful talks with China, and acquired Shenyang J-6s to be used to protect the facilities.

The Pakistan Ministry of Defence and the United States Department of Defense entered into negotiations to acquire F-16s for the PAF, with Air Chief Marshal Shamim later launching Project Falcon, appointing AVM H Durrani as its Project-Director.

In 1980, Air Chief Marshal Anwar Shamim witnessed the commissioning and induction of the A-5 Fantan into the PAF, acquiring the first squadron in 1981.

In 1982, ACM Anwar Shamim acquired an additional batch of Dassault Mirage 5 that would provide support in aerial defence for the Pakistan Navy.

In 1985, ACM Anwar Shamim refused to accept an extension as the Chief of Air Staff despite President Zia-ul-Haq approving a third extension.

ACM Anwar Shamim was eventually succeeded by Air Chief Marshal Jamal Khan, and decided to settle in Islamabad, Pakistan.

On 3 January 2013, Anwar Shamim was admitted to the Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi and died on 4 January 2013 after a prolonged illness.

Anwar Shamim's death was widely reported and, it was announced by the Government of Pakistan to give him the proper burial with state honors.

Anwar Shamim was given a state funeral that was attended by Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafiq, then-air chief, Admiral Asif Sandila, then-navy chief, Gen.

Anwar Shamim is buried in H-11 Graveyard, Islamabad; a granite memorial crowned by the Pakistan Air Force emblem marks his grave.

ACM Anwar Shamim was noted as the second longest serving chief of air staff, commanding the air force for nearly seven years whose tenureship saw the induction of the F-16s in the air force.

ACM Anwar Shamim started the air force's exercise that were integrated with the other branches of the Pakistani military in the 1980s for the leadership under Chairman joint chiefs to understand and appreciate exactly what the PAF could and could not do.