Air Marshal Zahid Mehmood (Retd)

Director

 
Air Marshal Zahid Mehmood (Retd)

Air Marshal Zahid Mehmood (Retd)

Professional Experience

Air Marshal Zahid Mehmood (Retd) joined the Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies, Islamabad as Director in November 2023. A graduate of National Defence University and Air War College, he has 36 years’ experience of military aviation as a fighter pilot in the Pakistan Air Force. During his service with the PAF, he has held various Command and Staff appointments including Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Plans), Director General C4I, Deputy Chief of Air Staff Personnel and Vice Chief of Air Staff. He holds Master’s Degrees in Strategic Studies and Defence & Strategic Studies. An alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School for National and International Security (USA), his areas of expertise include National Security with emphasis on traditional security threats and response options; Doctrine and Policy. He lectures regularly at Pakistan’s National Defence University and Air War College on related subjects. He is a recipient of Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) for his services to the PAF.

Publications

MISADVENTURES INTO PAKISTAN’S AIRSPACE

The Treaty of Westphalia is considered to be the foundation and a reference point for the conceptual establishment of the idea of a “Nation State”. It solidified the notions of territorial sovereignty, state autonomy, and the structure of the international system. Signed in 1648, the treaty stabilised patterns of interstate conduct it reinforced. Since 1648, various other treaties, pacts and arrangements have been signed at international, regional, and bilateral levels. These were aimed at streamlining state-to-state relations and the movement of people and goods across geographical borders. Under “Schengen States” arrangement, for example, citizens of member states can cross over to other member states without visa or border checks. Today, the Schengen area covers over 4 million square kilometres with a population of over 450 million people and includes 29 countries. Even with this relaxed arrangement, state sovereignty and state laws are held inviolable and military activities

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Pakistan of 2047

Predicting Pakistan’s future is a daunting task considering its external and internal challenges such as a precarious socio-political landscape, economic woes, law and order shortcomings, and dynamic regional

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Cyberspace as a Global Common : Formulation and Applicability of International Law

In the modern digital age, cyberspace has become an integral part of daily life. However, as cyberspace transcends physical borders, it poses unique challenges to traditional legal frameworks. Understanding cyberspace as a ‘global common’ and the applicability of international law within this realm is crucial for ensuring security, stability, and cooperation in the digital domain. To address these critical issues,

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