AIR CHIEF MARSHAL (Retd) MUHAMMAD ANWAR

SHAMIM, A VETERAN OF 1965 AND 1971 WARS,

PASSED AWAY AT CMH RAWALPINDI
ISLAMABAD 04 JANUARY, 2013: Air Chief Marshal (Retd) Muhammad
Anwar Shamim, the former Chief of Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force and a
veteran of 1965 and 1971 wars, breathed his last at CMH Rawalpindi
today, after prolonged illness. He was 81 years of age.

His funeral prayers would be offered at sports ground, PAF

Complex, Sector E-9 Islamabad at 1400 Hrs on 05 January, 2013. He
would be buried with full military honours at Sector H-11 graveyard,
Islamabad. He has left behind a widow, two daughters and a son.

Air Chief Marshal, Tahir Rafique Butt, Chief of the Air Staff,
Pakistan Air Force has expressed his extreme grief on the sad demise of
former PAF Air Chief. The Air Chief further said that Air Chief Marshal
(Retd) Muhammad Anwar Shamim very ably led PAF both in peace and
during the Soviet-Afghan War. The Air Chief acknowledged historic
contributions of Air Chief Marshal (Retd) Muhammad Anwar Shamim that
transformed the Pakistan Air Force on modern lines that included
induction of state of the art F-16 Fighting Falcons, Chinese A-5 aircraft,
state of the art Air Defence System and the creation of Regional Air
Commands.

Air Chief Marshal Muhammad Anwar Shamim was born on 1st

October, 1931, in an educated family from Haripur (Hazara). He became
a member of the then functional University Air Squadron, to begin his
childhood dream career of a fighter pilot in Pakistan Air Force. He joined
RPAF in 1950 and on completion of his pilot training at the Royal
Australian Air Force, he was granted commission in March, 1954.

Some of the major courses include, Flying Training and Jet

conversion from Australia, Flying Instructors, Staff College, National
Defence College and Senior Officers Inter-Defence Management Course
from USA.

His major appointments during the active service included, Officer

Commanding No 11 Sqn and No 33 Fighter Wing. Former Air Chief
commanded three PAF Bases, Sakesar, Korangi Creek and Masroor. At
Air Headquarters, he served as ACAS (Ops), ACM (Retd) Anwar Shamim
also served Royal Jordanian Air Force as Air Advisor to His Majesty King
Hussain Bin Talal (1968-1970) and played key role in reforming the
Jordanian Air Force after 1967 Arab-Israel war.

He actively participated in 1965 and 1971 wars. His leadership

during war missions was aggressive and served as an excellent example
for his juniors. On his act of outstanding bravery and heroism, he was
awarded with Sitara-i-Jurrat (gallantry award) during the 1965 war. On 23
July, 1978 at the age of 47, he became Chief of the Air Staff and retired
on 5th March 1985 after serving almost seven years.

Air Chief Marshal Muhammad Anwar Shamim was a well decorated

officer. Among his decorations are Sitara-i-Imtiaz (M), Hilal-i-Imtiaz (M),
Nishan-i- Imtiaz (M) and Sitara-i-Jurrat. He has also authored a book
“Cutting Edge PAF” which illustrates his experiences in PAF.