Zafar Chaudhry

Air Marshal Zafar Ahmed Chaudhry, SQA (born 19 August 1926) was the first Chief of Air Staff and a three-star general of the Pakistan Air Force from March 1972 to April 1974. His predecessor, Abdul Rahim Khan, was called Commander-in-Chief. Before becoming the air chief, Chaudhry stayed as the Managing Director of the national airline Pakistan International Airlines from July 1971 to March 1972.

Chaudhry has commanded No. 9 Squadron, No. 32 Flying Wing (Mauripur), PAF Academy Risalpur and PAF Base Sargodha. Amongst his staff appointments, he was Director of Operations, Director of Plans and ACAS (Operations) at the AHQ.

Zafar Chaudhry belongs to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He was commissioned in the British Indian Air Force on 9 April 1945. Among his important assignments in the PAF were: after commander of the PAF Academy and later of PAF Base Sargodha; at Air Headquarter, he did a tour as chief of operations. In between, he graduated from two British staff colleges as well as the Imperial Defence College. He is a founding member of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, has served as its Treasurer and  is currently a Council Member.