ISLAMABAD, March 30: The government has appointed Air Marshal Raashid Kalim as vice chief of the air staff. Raashid Kalim was born on January 5, 1952. He was commissioned in General Duties (Pilot) Branch on April 21, 1973. He has served as a fighter pilot in various fighter squadrons of Pakistan Air Force.

He has qualified Flying Instructors’ Course, Pakistan Naval Staff Course and Armed Forces War Course. During his career, he has commanded a fighter wing and an operational base.

He had been a directing staff at PAF Air War College. His staff appointments include personal staff officer to chief of the air staff, director-general (Logistics) at Joint Staff Headquarters and additional secretary in the Ministry of Defence.

Currently, he is performing duties as deputy chief of the air staff (Personnel) at Air Headquarters. In addition to this, the air marshal had also been worked as senior vice-president of Pakistan Squash Federation for the last three years. He has also served in Zimbabwean Air Force on deputation. He is married and has three children.

In recognition of his meritorious services, he has been awarded Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military). — APP