About Anwar Shamim
Mohammad Anwar Shamim (1 October 1931 – 4 January 2013) was a former fighter pilot who was the Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force, serving in the post from 1978 until retiring in 1985. Born in Haripur, he was a career fighter pilot who participated in the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 and also in 1971, before playing a crucial role as a military adviser to Jordan against Palestinian insurgent groups in 1970. As an Chief of the Air Staff, Shamim is notable for taking initiatives to modernize the PAF by successfully acquiring the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon from the United States under Project Falcon in 1983, and acquiring radar technology from the US to strengthen his country's aerial defense. During his tenure, he played an influential role in the Zia administration, advising President Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq on policy matters involving the national security of Pakistan. By mid-1981, rumors of corruption were circulating within the Air Force, including allegations against Shamim. Reportedly, he had purchased a ranch in the United States for $500,000 and "nobody had the courage to inform or question the CAS about this". According to several sources, motivated by loyalty and a strong commitment to integrity, Air Commodore M. M. Alam confronted Shamim directly and recommended that an investigation be conducted. Rather, Shamim authored a negative Annual Confidential Report (ACR) on Alam at the end of the year, questioning his character and combat record, and had him retired. In addition, Shamim also holds the distinction of being the second longest serving Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force. He died in January 2013 and was buried with full state honours. Capt.) Shamim was posted with the Pakistan Armed Forces–Middle East Command, serving first as an air adviser to the Royal Jordanian Air Force in 1967. Shamim's tenureship was subjected to two extension as a Chief of Air Staff, first in 1982 at the behest of President Zia-ul-Haq to supervise the complete induction of the F-16A/B fighter jets into the PAF. In 1980, Air Chief Marshal Shamim also witnessed the commissioning and induction of the A-5 Fantan into the PAF, acquiring the first squadron in 1981.
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