Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman Takes Charge as New Chief of Pakistan Air Force

Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman took command of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in Islamabad today.

The PAF said in a statement that outgoing air chief Tahir Rafique Butt handed over the "command sword" to Mr Aman and also decorated him with the rank of Air Chief Marshal.

Aman was designated as new Chief of the Air Staff by President Mamnoon Hussain yesterday.

Speaking on the occasion, the outgoing air chief Mr Butt said that the last three years were full of operational challenges.

He said local built JF-17 Block-II aircraft had already been inducted to fully realise its potential as a modern platform.

He also added that there was growing harmony in all the three services.

The new air chief takes office at a difficult time when Pakistan is fully engaged in the war against terror, and fighter jets frequently target militant bases.

At least 34 militants were killed yesterday when air force fighters hit their positions in the restive northwestern tribal region.