Air Chief Marshal(ACM)Mohammad Anwar ShamimNI(M) HI(M) SJ SI(M) OI LoM(Urdu:محمد انور شمیم); (1 October 1931 – 4 January 2013) was a seniorair officerof thePakistan Air Force(PAF) and was theChief of Air Staff,appointed to the post in 1978 until retiring in 1985.[2][3]
Born inHaripur,British India,he was a careerfighter pilotwho participated inconflict with Indiain theIndo-Pakistani war of 1965andalso in 1971,before playing a crucial role as amilitary advisertoJordanagainstPalestinian insurgent groupsin 1970.[4][5]
As an Chief of the Air Staff, Shamim is notable for taking initiatives to modernize the PAF by successfully acquiring theGeneral Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falconfrom theUnited StatesunderProject Falconin 1983, and acquiringradar technologyfrom the US to strengthen his country's aerial defense.[6][7]During his tenureship, he played an influential role in theZia administration,advising PresidentMuhammad Zia-ul-Haqon policy matters involving thenational security of Pakistan.[8]
In addition, Shamim also holds the distinction of being the second longest serving Chief of Air Staff of thePakistan Air Force.[3]He died in January 2013 and was buried with fullstate honours.
Biography
editEarly life and education
editAnwar Shamim was born inHaripur,Hazara District,North-West Frontier Provincein theBritish Indian Empire,on 31 October 1931.[9]He hailed from an academic family and his parents were teachers at the local school.[4]He received his early education and matriculated fromGovernment CollegeinCampbellpur(Attock) before becoming the member of theUniversity Air Squadronof theRoyal Air Force.: 221 [9][10]
In 1950, he joined theRPAF Collegeat Risalpur from where he was selected to attend theRoyal Australian Air Force CollegeatPoint Cookwhere he completed the basic flying training course.: 221 [10][11]Upon returning to Pakistan, he gained acommissionas aPilot OfficerinNo. 12 SquadronGlobe Globe Trottersin 1952.: 15, 134 [12]Flying OfficerShamim was sent to theUnited Statesto be trained to fly theF-104 Starfighter,and was later directed to attend theAir Command and Staff CollegeinMontgomery,Alabama,in the 1960s where he gained degree inDefence studies.: 66 [13]
In the 1970s, he went to attend theNational Defence UniversityinIslamabad,and attained hismaster's degreeinnational securitycourse.: 221 [1][13]
War and staff appointments in the military
edit
In 1963,Squadron-LeaderShamim took over the command of theNo. 11 SquadronArrows,which he commanded until 1965.: 47–48 [15]While in theUnited States,he qualified as atest pilot,flying mostly the F-104 and F-86 while performing the combat maneuvering.: 109–110 [10]
In 1965,Wing-Commander(Wg Cdr) Shamim took over the command ofNo. 33 (Tactical) Wingas itsofficer commanding,and participated in theIndo-Pakistani war of 1965with India. During theaerial operations,Wg Cdr Shamim flew hisLockheed F-104 Starfighter,along withNorth American F-86 Sabresagainst theIndian Air Force'sMikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21.: contents [14]Hiscombat wingled several attacking and bombing missions against the Indian Air Force's attempt for an air superiority.: contents [16]
After the war with India,Group Captain(Gp. Capt.) Shamim was posted with thePakistan Armed Forces–Middle East Command,serving first as anair adviserto theRoyal Jordanian Air Forcein 1967.[4]Shamim played a crucial role in advising about the importance ofair superioritytoKing Hussainof Jordan during theSix-Day Warwith Israel.[4]In 1970, Gp. Capt. Shamim, acting as amilitary adviserto theJordanian Armed Forces,played a decisive role in gatheringmilitary intelligenceon thePalestine Liberation Organization(PLO) in support of the Pakistan Armed Forces, led by itsChief of StaffthenBrigadier(later President)Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq.: 9–11 [17]His efforts won the praise fromKing Hussain,honoring him with a national decoration.[4]
In 1971, Gp. Capt. Shamim returned to Pakistan from his assignment, and was appointed asbase commanderofMasroor Air Force Base,mainly focusing onaerial defence,though he continued directing combat air operations.: 222 [10]
In 1974–76,Air CommodoreShamim was appointedAir Officer Commandingof theSouthern Air Command,but was later posted asACAS (Air Operations)at thePakistan Air Headquarters(AHQ) on a two-star rank,Air Vice Marshal(AVM).[4]
In 1978, AVM Shamim was promoted toAir Marshal(AM).: 231
Chief of Air Staff
editOn 23 July 1978, when ACMZulfikar Ali Khancompleted an extended tenure of four years, Air Commodore Anwar Shamim was promoted to ACM and appointed Chief of the Air Staff.
PresidentFazal Ilahiapproved the elevation of the junior mostair officer,Anwar Shamim, to four-star rank, superseding several seniors for this appointment.[18]
Once appointed as Chief of Air Staff,Air Chief Marshal(ACM) Shamim began taking initiatives to modernize the air force by acquiring fighter jets from theUnited StatesandChina.[4]
Shamim's tenureship was subjected to two extension as a Chief of Air Staff, first in 1982 at the behest of President Zia-ul-Haq to supervise the complete induction of theF-16A/Bfighter jets into the PAF.: cxxix [19]In 1983, ACM Shamim was given another extension as an air chief for two more year.: 636 [20]Repeated extension of ACM Shamim as Chief of Air Staff made him the longest serving chief of the air force.: 93 [21]
Under his command, the PAF was involved in combat sorties against theSoviet Air ForcesinCommunist Afghanistanin shooting down the fighter jets violating the airspace of Pakistan only, but he did not authorize the air force's F-16s for hot pursuit missions into Communist Afghanistan.[5]
F-16 Fighting Falcon program
edit
In 1979, ACM Shamim notified President General Zia-ul-Haq that Kahuta'sEngineering Research Laboratories(ERL) was an indefensible site because it was at three minutes flying time for theIndian Air Forcefrom theIndo-Pakistani border,while the reaction time for thePakistan Air Force's fighter jets would be about eight minutes, resulting in the enemy completing the job and returning to their base safely.[23]ACM Shamim explored the idea of defending theirnuclear deterrenceby suggesting acquiring AmericanF-16s,allowing the PAF to have asecond strikecapability to destroying theBhabha Atomic Research CentreatTrombay,India.[23]ACM Shamim refused to acquireNorthrop F-5Eaircraft from the United States, and provided a strong advocacy for acquiring the F-16s.[23]In 1980, ACM Shamim led successful talks withChina,and acquiredShenyang J-6sto be used to protect the facilities.: 28 [24]
ThePakistan Ministry of Defenceand theUnited States Department of Defenseentered into negotiations to acquire F-16s for the PAF, with Air Chief Marshal Shamim later launchingProject Falcon,appointing AVMH. Durranias itsProject-Director.[25]
On 15 January 1983, threeF-16Asin a single squadron, under the leadership of then-AVMJamal A. Khanreached Pakistan.: 37–38 [13]When the F-16As arrived, Shamim directed a secret memo to confirm that an Indian attack on the nuclear facilities in Pakistan will be met with retaliatory attack by the PAF, using the F-16s as their primary weapons.[23][26]During this time, he maintained close relations withLieutenant GeneralArnold W. Braswellof theUnited States Air Forceon mutual security issues.[6]
AfterIsraelsuccessfully launched theOperation Operasurprise airstrike on theIraqiOsirak Nuclear Plant,the fears in Pakistan increased with their intelligence community asserting that India could similarly destroy the nuclear infrastructure in Pakistan.[25]Upon learning of the developments between Iraq and Israel, ACM Shamim tightened the security of the nuclear facilities by establishing theAir Force Strategic Command(AFSC).[7]
In 1980, Air Chief Marshal Shamim also witnessed the commissioning and induction of theA-5 Fantaninto the PAF, acquiring the first squadron in 1981.: 18 [22]
In 1982, ACM Shamim acquired an additional batch ofDassault Mirage 5that would provide support in aerial defence for thePakistan Navy.: 239 [27]
Air Force Strategic Command
editAfter Israel successfully launched its Operation Opera airstrike against Iraqs' Osirak nuclear power plant, fears in Pakistan increased with theintelligence communityasserting thatIndiacould also destroy the nuclear infrastructure in Pakistan.[25]Upon learning the development betweenIraqandIsrael,ACMShamim tightened the security of the nuclear facilities by establishing thestrategic air command.[7][28]
TheAir Force Strategic Commandwas primary tasked with protecting and providing the aerial defence of the country's clandestinenuclear deterrence.[28]The Air Force Strategic Command later took over the satellite operations which were run underSpace Research Commission,providing financial support for developingBadr-1,the nation's firstcommunication satellite.[28]
Retirement and later life
editIn 1985, ACM Shamim refused to accept an extension as the Chief of Air Staff despite President Zia-ul-Haq approving a third extension.: 99–100 [29]ACM Shamim was eventually succeeded by Air Chief MarshalJamal Khan,and decided to settle in Islamabad, Pakistan.: 99–100 [29]
In 1986, President Zia appointed Shamin as theHigh Commissionerof Pakistan toCanadato leadPakistan's High Commissionthere, but the Canadian government refused take his appointment.: 203–204 [30]In 1987, he was then attempted to be sent as aPakistan AmbassadortoSaudi Arabiabut this was also refused by theSaudi Arabia,citing unknown reasons.: 203–204 [30]
During this time, his strong political advocacy and role in developing thenuclear weaponswas exposed byinvestigative journalismin the United States, leading him to return to Pakistan and sell his home in the US to avoid federal inquires by the United States government.: 203–204 [30]In 1988–89, he joined theDawn,writing and penning articles onsecurity issuesinAfghanistan.
In 1999–2000, Shamim was implicated in several allegations in the corruption inquires conducted byNational Accountability Bureau(NAB) but details of his assets were then marked as classified by PresidentPervez Musharraf.: 87 [31]
In 2010, he wrote and published his memoirs,Cutting Edge,recounting his memories during this tenureship as an air chief.[25]
Death and State funeral
editOn 3 January 2013, Shamim was admitted to theCombined Military Hospital Rawalpindiand died on 4 January 2013 after a prolonged illness.[32]His death was widely reported and, it was announced by theGovernment of Pakistanto give him the proper burial with state honors.
Shamim was given astate funeralthat was attended by Air Chief MarshalTahir Rafiq,then-air chief,AdmiralAsif Sandila,then-navy chief,Gen.Ashfaq Parvez Kayani,then-army chief,former air chiefs, war veterans, diplomatics, and other dignitaries.[33][34]PresidentAsif Zardaripaid tribute to Shamins' services for the nation and prayed to Allah, the Almighty, to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and to give courage to the bereaved family to bear this loss with fortitude. [35]
Anwar Shamim is buried in H-11 Graveyard,Islamabad;agranitememorial crowned by thePakistan Air Forceemblem marks his grave.
Legacy
editACMAnwar Shamim was noted as the second longest servingchief of air staff,commanding the air force for nearly seven years whose tenureship saw the induction of the F-16s in the air force.[36]While there were several allegations of nepotism[37]and improper conduct, But this has been fervently denied by his family[38]
ACMAnwar Shamim started the air force's exercise that were integrated with the other branches of thePakistani militaryin the 1980s for the leadership underChairman joint chiefsto understand and appreciate exactly what the PAF could and could not do.[5]
Awards and decorations
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| PAFGD(P) BadgeRED(More than3000Flying Hours) | |||
| Nishan-e-Imtiaz
(Order of Excellence) |
Hilal-e-Imtiaz
(Crescent of Excellence) |
Sitara-e-Jurat
(Star of Courage) | |
| Sitara-e-Imtiaz
(Star of Excellence) |
Tamgha-e-Diffa
(General Service Medal) |
Sitara-e-Harb 1965 War
(War Star 1965) |
Sitara-e-Harb 1971 War
(War Star 1971) |
| Tamgha-e-Jang 1965 War
(War Medal 1965) |
Tamgha-e-Jang 1971 War
(War Medal 1971) |
Tamgha-e-Sad Saala Jashan-e-
(100th Birth Anniversary of 1976 |
Tamgha-e-Jamhuria
(Republic Commemoration Medal) 1956 |
| Hijri Tamgha
(Hijri Medal) 1979 |
Order of Independence
(Wisam al-Istiqlal) (Jordan) |
Order of King Abdul Aziz | The Legion of Merit
(USA) |
Foreign Decorations
edit| Foreign Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
 Jordan
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Order of Independence (Wisam al-Istiqlal) |
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 Saudi Arabia
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Order of King Abdul Aziz - Class I |
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 USA
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The Legion of Merit(Degree of Commander) |
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Published works
edit- Shamim, PAF`, ACM (Gen.) M. Anwar (12 March 1988)."Afghanistan Problem: The End in Sight? Part-I".M. A. Shamim, PAF.Islamabad: M. Anwar Shamim at Dawn. Dawn Newspapers.Retrieved14 January2018.
- Shamim, PAF`, ACM (Gen.) M. Anwar (13 March 1988)."Afghanistan Problem: The End in Sight? Part-II".M. A. Shamim, PAF.Islamabad: M. Anwar Shamim at Dawn. Dawn Newspapers.Retrieved14 January2018.
- Shamim, PAF`, ACM (Gen.) M. Anwar (27 March 1988)."Implications of India's Naval Build-up".M. A. Shamim, PAF.Islamabad: M. Anwar Shamim at Dawn. Dawn Newspapers.Retrieved14 January2018.
- Shamim, PAF`, ACM (Gen.) M. Anwar (4 April 1989)."Dilemma of the Bureaucracy".M. A. Shamim, PAF.Islamabad: M. Anwar Shamim at Dawn. Dawn Newspapers.Retrieved14 January2018.
- Shamim, PAF`, ACM (Gen.) M. Anwar (20 May 1989)."What Does Agni Port End?".M. A. Shamim, PAF.Islamabad: M. Anwar Shamim at Dawn. Dawn Newspapers.Retrieved14 January2018.
Memoirs
edit- Shamim, M. Anwar (2010).Cutting Edge PAF: A Former Air Chief's Reminiscences of a Developing Air Force(1st ed.). Islamabad: Vanguard Books. p. 351.ISBN978-9694025407.Retrieved14 January2018.
See also
edit
References
edit- ^abPakistan (1978).The Gazette of Pakistan.Retrieved11 January2018.
- ^(PAF), Pakistan Air Force(2015)."Chiefs of Air Staff Gallery".Pakistan Air Force Directorate for Public and Media relations.Directorate-General for the Inter-Services Public Relations of Pakistan Air Force.Retrieved4 July2011.
- ^abNews Desk, Maliha Ajj (4 January 2013)."Ex-Chief of Air Staff Anwar Shamim dies at 81".Aaj News.Islamabad: Aaj News, 2013. Aaj News, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 25 August 2018.Retrieved11 January2018.
- ^abcdefg"PAF ex-chief Anwar Shamim passes away".The Nation.5 January 2013.Retrieved11 January2018.
- ^abcEditorial, National (7 January 2013)."Air Chief Marshal Anwar Shamim and PAF".thenews.pk.News International. News International.Retrieved13 January2018.
- ^abMarwat, Abdul Zahoor Khan (7 January 2014)."A Tribute to Late Air Chief Marshal Anwar Shamim (1978-1985)".truthbykbaig.Retrieved14 January2018.
- ^abcAnwar, PAF, Air Chief Marshal Shamim (2010). "§The Lost Decade".Cutting Edge PAF: A Former Air Chief's Reminiscences of a Developing Air Force.Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory: Vanguard Books Publishers. p. 351.ISBN978-969-402-540-7.
- ^انور شمیم[circular reference]
- ^ab"Ex-chief of PAF Shamim dead".Islamabad: Dawn Newspaper. 5 January 2013.Retrieved11 January2018.
- ^abcdHussain, Syed Shabbir; Qureshi, M. Tariq (1982).History of the Pakistan Air Force, 1947-1982(1st ed.). Islamabad: Pakistan Air Force. p. 332.ISBN978-0-19-648045-9.Retrieved11 January2018.
- ^Hussain, Syed Shabbir (1982).Excerpts from Page 221.Pakistan Air Force.ISBN978-0-19-648045-9.Retrieved11 January2018.
- ^Singh, Pushpindar; Rikhye, Ravi; Steinemann, Peter (1991).Fiza'ya: psyche of the Pakistan Air Force.Society for Aerospace Studies. p. 207.ISBN9788170020387.Retrieved11 January2018.
- ^abc"Shaheen: Journal of the Pakistan Air Force".Shaheen: Journal of the Pakistan Air Force.35.Air Headquarters. 1988.Retrieved11 January2018.
- ^abSingh, Mandeep (2017).Baptism Under Fire: Anti Aircraft Artillery in India Pakistan War 1965(in Spanish). Vij Books India Pvt Ltd.ISBN9789386457134.Retrieved11 January2018.
- ^Hussain, Syed Shabbir; Qureshi, M. Tariq (1982).History of the Pakistan Air Force, 1947-1982.Pakistan Air Force.ISBN978-0-19-648045-9.Retrieved11 January2018.
- ^Roy, Kaushik (2017).Conventional Warfare in South Asia, 1947 to the Present.Routledge.ISBN9781351948678.
- ^North-West Challenges.United India Periodicals. 1984.Retrieved11 January2018.
- ^Amin, A.H. (1999)."Group-Captain Cecil Chaudhry, SJ"(web cache).researchgate.net.Defence Journal.Retrieved11 January2018.
- ^Asian Recorder.K. K. Thomas at Recorder Press. 1982.Retrieved13 January2018.
- ^News Review on South Asia and Indian Ocean.Institute for Defence Studies & Analyses. 1983.Retrieved13 January2018.
- ^Globe.A. Mahmood. 1991.Retrieved13 January2018.
- ^abSubramanian, Ram Rajan (1982).Nuclear Proliferation in South Asia: Security in the 1980s.Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Research School of Pacific Studies, Australian National University.ISBN9780867840919.Retrieved13 January2018.
- ^abcdAnwar, PAF, Air Chief Marshal Shamim (17 May 2007)."Threat to destroy indian N-plant stopped attack on Kahuta".Air Chief Marshal (retired) Shamim Anwar, Chief of Air Staff of Pakistan Air Force.Dawn Newspapers.Retrieved12 May2011.
- ^New Delhi.Ananda Bazar Patrika, Limited. 1987.Retrieved13 January2018.
- ^abcdAnwar, PAF, Air Chief Marshal Shamim (2010). "§ Critical Years: Intelligence and Deception".Cutting Edge PAF: A Former Air Chief's Reminiscences of a Developing Air Force.Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory: Vanguard Books. p. 351.ISBN978-969-402-540-7.
- ^In 1983, ACM Shamim wrote a memo stating: "I am now 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".
- ^Daily Report: South Asia.Foreign Broadcast Information Service. 1982.Retrieved13 January2018.
- ^abcAnwar, PAF, Air Chief Marshal Shamim (2010). "§21st century Air Force".Cutting Edge PAF: Reminiscences.Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory: Vanguard Books Publishers Co. p. 351.ISBN978-969-402-540-7.
- ^abAbbas, Hassan (2015). "Chapter 6: General Zia-ul-Haq".Pakistan's Drift Into Extremism: Allah, the Army, and America's War on Terror(google books).Routledge.ISBN978-1-317-46328-3.Retrieved13 January2018.
- ^abcJoshi, P. C. (2008).Main Intelligence Outfits Of Pakistan(1st ed.). Anmol Publications Pvt. Limited. p. 414.ISBN9788126135509.Retrieved13 January2018.
- ^Siddiqui, Tasneem Ahmad (2005).Dynamics of Social Change.Sama. p. 229.ISBN9789698784263.Retrieved13 January2018.
- ^"President condoles death of Anwar Shamim".dailytimes.pk. 5 January 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 16 April 2013.Retrieved5 January2013.
- ^Staff reporter (5 January 2013)."Ex-PAF chief Anwar Shamim laid to rest with military honours".pakistantoday.pk.Retrieved13 January2018.
- ^"Former Air Chief Laid to Rest".The Nation.Archivedfrom the original on 12 January 2013.Retrieved15 January2013.
- ^"President Condoles Death of Anwar Shamim".Dail Times.5 January 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 16 April 2013.Retrieved15 January2013.
- ^PAF s' Chief of Air StaffsArchived2009-02-25 at theWayback Machine
- ^"Cecil Choudhary Interview".Archived fromthe originalon 22 May 2008.Retrieved21 February2008.
- ^"S Iqbals Response at Chowk".Archived fromthe originalon 5 November 2007.Retrieved21 February2008.