Babar Iftikhar | |
|---|---|
بابر افتخار | |
 Official portrait, 2020, pictured as a Major General | |
| President National Defence University, Islamabad | |
| President | Asif Ali Zardari |
| Preceded by | Lt Gen. Asif Ghafoor |
| Commander V Corps | |
| In office 6 December 2022 – January 2025 | |
| Director General of ISPR | |
| In office 1 February 2020 – 5 December 2022 | |
| Prime Minister | Imran Khan Shehbaz Sharif |
| Preceded by | Asif Ghafoor |
| Succeeded by | Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry |
| Personal details | |
| Children | 4 sons[1] |
| Alma mater |
|
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Pakistan |
| Branch/service | Pakistan Army |
| Years of service | 1990–present |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Unit | 6th Lancers (Watson's Horse) |
| Commands | |
| Battles/wars | Operation Zarb-e-Azb |
| Awards | Hilal-i-Imtiaz (military) |
Babar Iftikhar (Urdu: بابر افتخار) HI(M) is a three-star general in the Pakistan Army who is currently serving as the President of the National Defence University since January 2025. He was the former 21st director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) from 16 January 2020 to 6 December 2022.[3][4] He was commissioned in the Pakistan Army in 1990. He is also former General Officer Commanding 1st Armoured Division in Multan. He is also the former commander of V Corps of the Pakistan Army which has its headquarters in Karachi.
Education
[edit]Babur Iftikhar attended the Army Burn Hall College in Abbottabad. He graduated from the Command and Staff College and later attended the Royal Jordanian Command & Staff College. After earning his initial degrees, he attended the National Defence University.[5][6]
Military career
[edit]Iftikhar was commissioned in the 6th Lancers (Watson's Horse) in March 1990.[7] He carries with him a rich command, staff and instructional experience. He served as Brigade Major at an armoured brigade, Commander 9 Armoured Brigade at 6th Armoured Division (Pakistan), Brigadier Staff at an infantry division in North Waziristan (OAM) during Operation Zarb-e-Azb and as Chief of Staff at Corps headquarters. He was faculty of the Pakistan Military Academy and National Defense University, Islamabad.[8] In October 2022, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general.[9]
He is the third Director-General in the history of ISPR to be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General in the Pakistan Army. [10] Others Include Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa[11] (Retired as Lieutenant General) and Major General Asif Ghafoor[12] (Now Lieutenant General and current President National Defence University, Islamabad ).
Beside, he is the second Director-General in the history of ISPR to head ISPR with a rank of Lieutenant General. The first officer who headed ISPR with a rank of Lieutenant General was Lt.General Asim Saleem Bajwa.[13]
As of January 2025, Ifitikhar as serving as the President National Defence University, Islamabad.
Press-Conference with DG ISI
[edit]On October 27, 2022, Iftikhar along with Lieutenant General Nadeem Anjum, made a public appearance at a press conference. The two criticised former Prime Minister Imran Khan over his criticism of the military, motives behind anti-army remarks and portraying Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa as a “traitor” among his followers. [14]
Effective dates of promotion
[edit]| Insignia | Rank | Date |
|---|---|---|
  |
Lieutenant General | October 2022 |
  |
Major General | June 2018[15] |
  |
Brigadier | June 2013 |
 |
Colonel | Direct Promoted to Brigadier rank. |
 |
Lieutenant Colonel | 2007 |
|
Major | March 1998 |
 |
Captain | March 1993 |
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Lieutenant | August 1990 |
_Pakistan_Army.svg){kind=small} |
Second Lieutenant | 1990 |
References
[edit]- ^ "Who is new DG ISPR Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar? - Pakistan - Dunya News". dunyanews.tv. Archived from the original on 16 January 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
- ^ "Maj Gen Babur Iftikhar replaces Asif Ghafoor as DG ISPR". 16 January 2020.
- ^ "Pakistan military spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor replaced, sent to command infantry division".
- ^ "Gen Iftikhar to head ISPR after Ghafoor's removal | Pakistan Today". www.pakistantoday.com.pk.
- ^ "Major General Babur Iftikhar, career profile of the new DG ISPR". Times of Islamabad. January 16, 2020.
- ^ "Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan". www.ispr.gov.pk.
- ^ "Maj Gen Babur Iftikhar replaces Asif Ghafoor as DG ISPR". 16 January 2020.
- ^ "Profile: Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar, Pakistan Army's new spokesperson | Pakistan". thenews.com.pk. 1988-09-09. Retrieved 2020-01-16.
- ^ "12 Pak Army major generals promoted to lieutenant general rank". Dawn. 11 October 2022.
- ^ "Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan". www.ispr.gov.pk. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
- ^ Haider, Mateen (2015-09-22). "Four army officers including DG ISPR Asim Bajwa made three-star generals". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
- ^ "Ex-DG ISPR Asif Ghafoor among six major generals promoted to three-star rank". The Express Tribune. 2020-11-25. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
- ^ "Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan". ispr.gov.pk. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
- ^ "In rare public appearance, head of Pakistan's ISI slams ex-PM Khan for anti-army campaign". Arab News PK. 2022-10-27. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
- ^ "Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan".
External links
[edit]- Major General Babar Iftikhar at Inter-Services Public Relations
- "Pakistan appoints Maj Gen Iftikhar as new military spokesman". The Economic Times. January 16, 2020 – via PTI.
