After the completion of his three-year tenure in the top post, the air chief marshal was set to retire on Monday. However, the prime minister gave the  four-star air force officer extension.

The premier forwarded the recommendation for the extension to President Asif Ali Zardari who approved it.

Currently, Zaheer Babar serves as the 16th Chief of Air Staff. He assumed command on March 19, 2021, succeeding ACM Mujahid Anwar Khan.