Anwar Shamim

Anwar Shamim
File:MAS10.jpg Air Chief Marshal Anwar Shamim.
Birth name	Muhammad Anwar Shamim
Nickname(s)	Maverick
Born	(1931-10-01) October 1, 1931 Haripur Hazara Division, British Indian Empire
Allegiance	Pakistan
Service/branch	Pakistan Air Force
Years of service	1952-1985
Rank	Air Chief Marshal (General)
Unit	No. 2 Squadron Minhas
Commands held	Chief of Air Staff ACAS Air War Operations Research and Plans, Air Headquarters AOC Sakesar Air Force Base Air.Cmdnt. No. 31 Fighter Wing No. 31 (Fighter) Wing No. 11 Squadron Arrows OC Corangi-Creek Air Force Base AOC Masrour Air Force Base Commander Tactical Operations, AHQ Integrated missile programme
Battles/wars	Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 1965 Air Operations Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 Operation Chengiz Khan Operation Sentinel Soviet war in Afghanistan
Awards	Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military) Sitara-e-Jurat Hilal-e-Imtiaz(Military) Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) Legion of Merit

Air Chief Marshal Muhammad Anwar Shamim, NI(M), SI(M), HI(M), SJ (born 1 October 1931), is a retired 4 star rank air force's general officer who was the 10th Chief of Air Staff of Pakistan Air Force from July 1978 to March 1985. Air Chief Marshal Shamim was promoted to 4-star rank general and assumed the command of the Pakistan Air Force on 22 July 1978. Air Chief Marshal Anwar Shamim, a war hero, is a one of the most decorated military officer in the Pakistan Armed Forces.

Air-Chief Marshal Shamim was one of the important and powerful figure during the dictatorial regime of General Zia-ul-Haq. Shamim was one of the closest confident of General Zia-ul-Haq and have had access to country's most confidential assets. As 4-star general and air officer, Shamim was one of the few figures that had played an influential and internal role in county's clandestine nuclear development programme, with major security and logistics issued needed his permission. In 1980s, Shamim took over the confidential and clandestine research and development projects of Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission— country's national space authority — and initiated, and administrated the integrated missile programme, of which the first Hatf missile system was developed under his administrative supervision.

During his term as Chief of Air Staff, Shamim oversaw the induction and introduction of F-16 Fighting Falcon and A-5 Fantan and the creation of three regional (corps size) air commands, and the considerably expanded the air war operations in the country. After his retirement from Air Force, Air Chief Martial Shamim went to serve his life for the welfare and humanitarian issues, and further declined the government offices in later life.

Biography:early life and education

Shamim was born in 1931 to an educated family and hails from Haripur (Hazara). He received early education in his native town, proceeding to Government College Campbellpur (Attock), and subsequently joining Dyal Singh College, Lahore. He became a member of the then functional University Air Squadron, to begin his childhood dream career that of a fighter pilot in the Pakistan Air Force. He entered the Pakistan Air Force in the General Duties (Pilot) Branch on 14 March 1952.

However in 1952, Shamim entered in Air Force Academy where he gained B.Sc. in Statistical mechanics, with a minor is aviation history in 1956. However, he was commissioned on 14 March of 1952 in 10th GD(P) Course but did not started his active duty, as the Air Force wanted him to finish his college courses first. After successfully completing an advanced flying training course at Royal Australian Air Force College, Point Cook, for which he had been selected by merit in 1958. Shamim did a certified Jet Conversion Course from the Australia, and returned to his native country as he completed the course. In 1960, Shamim attended the Air War College where he attained M.Sc. in War studies, and later forwarded to joined Combat Commmander's School. At there, he won the trophy for being one of the distinguished and best fighter pilots in school. He attended the school with another fighter pilot Colonel Cecil Chaudhry. In 1973, as then-Major, Shamim returned Combat Commander's School where he served their as Chief instructor. At there, the PAF detailed him to attend the Command and Staff College to complete a Join-Service staff course. Shamim went to Quetta where Shamim completed a course on Joint Service and also gained M.S. in Military science. After completion of staff couse, Shamim was re-posted in Combat Commander's School as Chief Instructor along side with Colonel Cecil Chaudhry. Shamim was also promoted to as Lieutenant-Colonel (Wing Commander) by the Air Force Promotion Directorate. Throughout 1976, Shamim served as Research associate at the National Defence College while he carried out research in his academic discipline. While at there, Shamim completed a short-year course on International Defence Management Course in the United States Air Force.

War Service

Shamim is one of the distinguish fighter pilot that country has produced. One of the top graduate of Combat Commander's School, Shamim actively participated in the 1965 and 1971 Wars. During the Indo-Pakistan 1965 September war, Shamim, as Captain was second-in-command of the 33 Fighter Wing, and actively participated in the Air war operations. During this conflict, he was one of the junior OC at Sargodha Air Force Base. After the war, he was honored with Sitara-e-Jura'at by the Pakistan Government. His award citation reads:

"Wing Commander Muhammad Anwar Shamim in his capacity as Officer Commanding, fighter-bombers wing, made significant contribution to the high morale and aggressive attitude of the pilots who flew from this station. He efficiently managed the changing air defence and other requirements and ensured, while fully meeting these requirements, that the pilots got sufficient rest and other comforts to enable them to fly intelligently and confidently. During the operation, he led 14 air defence/escort missions and 5 ground attack missions. His leadership during these operational missions was aggressive and confident and served as a very good example for his pilots to follow . He accepted long hours of duty, including operational sorties at odd hours of the day, with enthusiasm. Wing Commander Muhammad Anwar Shamim was, therefore, awarded Sitara-i-Juraat. "

After the war, the PAF sent him to complete further staff courses. During the Indo-Pakistan Winter War in 1971, Shamim, now as Major (Squadron-Leader) was the Air-Defence Commander at South of the Central Air Defence. Shamim too went on to participate in the 13-day war but did not score any hits. After the war, Shamim was sent to Combat Commander's School as Chief Instructor.

Senior Staff Appointments

From 1970s and onwards, Anwar Shamim has held several senior command and staff appointments. During 1960, he commanded a No. 11 Squadron Arrows and the No. 33 Wing Dragnov of the Pakistan Air Force. He has flown a variety of airplanes and was always current on all fighter aircraft in the PAF inventory. He has served as Officer Commanding of three PAF Bases Masroor, Korangi Creek and Sakesar.

In 1976, as Colonel (Wing-Commander), Shamim was made Deputy Director of the Directorate for the Tactical Air War Operations (TAWO) at the Combatant Air Headquarters (AHQ) of Rawalpindi. However, he was replaced by Hakeem-Ollah and was posted as Commanding Officer of the Combat Commander's School in 1978. The same year, the Air Force appointed Shamim as Air attaché at the Pakistan High Commission to the United Kingdom but the PAF notified Colonel Shamim that he has not been cleared. He was immediately advised to go the General's Headquarter (GHQ) to see General Zia-ul-Haq.

The same year, the PAF Promotion Directorate promoted Anwar Shamim as 4-star rank of Air Chief Martial (General), super heading more than 12 senior eleven officers. The promotion was brought under the executive presidential order of General Zia-ul-Haq, Chief Martial Law Administrator during this period.

Chief of Air Staff

F-16s acquisition programme

As he was made the 4-star general in the Air Force, Shamim served as one of the most and closest confident of General Zia-ul-Haq. In 1979, while in private, General Zia told Air Chief Marshal Shamim that ISI had reliable intel that that Indian Air Force has plans to attack and destroy the Pakistan's nuclear research facilities at Kahuta, notably the Engineering Research Laboratories. While asking the capability of retaliation, Air Chief Marshal Shamim acknowledged that Indian Air Force could reach the area in 3 minutes whereas the PAF would take 8 minutes, allowing the Indians to attack the facility and return before the PAF could defend it. Because Kahuta is near borders and to effectively defended it was decided that the best way to deter an Indian attack would be to procure new advanced fighters and weaponry. But in meanwhile, Air Chief Marshal told General Zia to use diplomacy by sending Munir Ahmad Khan to Indian diplomatic mission in Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency.

The other day, Air Intelligence confirmed the report about the intel and recommended the acquisition of Mirage-2000 or F-16 Falcon Fighters at an emergency level. Shamim advocated for the F-16s and acknowledged General Zia about the plans. In 1981, the Air Intelligence became alerted of suspected F-16s jets landed near at the Indian borders. Therefore, the Shamim alerted the PAF, and an counter operation was launched, Operation Sentinel. The PAF jets intercepted the suspected F-16s and confirmed their Israeli identity. The PAF jets took aggressive measures and their tactics surprised the IAF F-16s. Panicked and surprise, the mission was cancelled and IAF F-16s were pulled off immediately. Pakistan then used Munir Ahmad Khan and a high level delegation was sent to India where both countries signed a pact not to laid attacks on each other's facilities.

In 1983, after two years of convincing the United States Government, the first batch of F-16s were inducted in the Air Force. The day the F-16s were introduced, Air Chief Marshal Shamim wrote to General Zia-ul-Haq that, "now we [PAF] in a position to confirm that Indians will not attack Kahuta because it is amply clear to them that we will retaliate and launch an attack on their atomic station in Trombay, and knowing that they will suffer much more devastation than us, will desist from taking any unwise action".

Other awards

He has received the following awards — Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military), Hilal-e-Imtiaz Military), Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military). His foreign decorations include: Al Istiqlal from Royal Jordanian Government and Legion of Merit from the United States of America. Air Chief Marshal Shamim is widely traveled and is a keen sportsman." He won several cups for Tennis, and Soccer as a young officer. "He likes Squash, and" he was very involved in the further development of the athletes and the game when he was "the President of Pakistan and Asian Squash Rackets Federations."

Legacy in the PAF

Anwar Shamim was the second longest serving PAF chief since Asghar Khan in the 60s. He was CAS for nearly seven years. After President Zia-ul Haq insisted on his extension as Chief of Air Staff, he had to continue his duty. The next officer was as yet junior, and the President wanted him to oversee the full induction of the F-16 before he retired. While there were several allegations of nepotism and improper conduct, But this has been fervently denied by his family

Air Chief Marshal Shamim is also legendary for inducting state-of-the-art F-16 fighter jets into the Pakistan Air Force. This accomplishment was one of the biggest achievements in the history of the Pakistan military. Under Shamim's leadership, the PAF became one of the most operationally efficient air forces in the world.

Personal life

Air Chief Marshal M. Anwar Shamim was married in July 1958. His wife, Begum Tahira Shamim was an active social worker and President of Pakistan Air Force Women’s Association, with a professional dedication to welfare work, spanning over twenty-five years. She is a published poetess of four Urdu poetry books. He has three children: two daughters, who are attorneys; and a computer engineer son.

Post Retirement

Post retirement Shamim has been offered several ambassadorships, but has declined them, preferring to focus on family life.

Published works

DAWN: Saturday March 12, 1988
Afghanistan Problem: The End In Sight?....I

DAWN: Sunday March 13, 1988
Afghanistan Problem: The End In Sight?....II

DAWN: March 27, 1988
Implication’s of India’s Naval Build-Up.

DAWN: April 4, 1989
Dilemma of the Bureaucracy.

DAWN: Saturday May 20, 1989
What Does Agni Portend?

Cutting Edge PAF: A Former Air Chief's Reminiscences of a Developing Air Force Vanguard Books (2010) ISBN 9789694025407 HB

External links

• PAF s' Chief of the Air Staffs
• Bio of Air Chief Marshal Anwar Shamim
• Bio of Air Chief Marshal Muhammas Anwar Shamim, N.I.(M),, S.J.(Retd.) PAF