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Farooq made vice chief of air staff

ISLAMABAD: Air Marshal Mohammad Farooq Qari has been appointed as Vice Chief of the Air Staff with effect from February 4, 2000, it was officially announced here on Thursday.

The post fell vacant after the retirement of Air Marshal Aliuddin.

Air Marshal M. Farooq Qari was born in Lahore on December 25, 1946. He earned his commission in the General Duty (Pilot) Branch of the Pakistan Air Force on January 22, 1967.

Serving as a fighter pilot he has flown all major types of combat aircraft in PAF inventory. He actively participated in the 1971 Indo-Pak war.

He has commanded a fighter suadron, a fighter wing, an operational and a non-operational base of the Pakistan Air Force.

He has qualified the combat commanders course, the PAF Staff College course and the armed forces war course.

During his distinguished service career, Qari has held a number of Command Staff assignments including those of Directing Staff (Air) at the National Defence College, Air Secretary at the Air Headquarters, Chaklala, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Flight Safety) and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Administration).

His foreign assignments include exchange posting to the United Kingdom and deputation to Libya. His last appointment was Air Officer Commanding, Central air Command, Pakistan Air Force.

In recognition of his distinguished services rendered to the PAF, the government of Pakistan has decorated him with Hilal-e-Imtiaz (military), Sitara-e-Imtiaz (military), Sitara-e-Basalat and Tamgha-e-Basalat. He is married and has three children. APP