Babar Iftikhar

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.

Lieutenant General Babar Iftikhar HI(M)
بابر افتخار
Official portrait, 2020, pictured as a Major General
President National Defence University, Islamabad
Incumbent
Assumed office February 2025
President	Asif Ali Zardari
Preceded by	Lt Gen. Asif Ghafoor
Corps 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	Army Burn Hall College Pakistan Military Academy Command and Staff College Royal Jordanian Command & Staff College National Defence University
Military service
Allegiance	Pakistan
Branch/service	Pakistan Army
Years of service	1990–present
Rank	Lieutenant General
Unit	6th Lancers
Commands	DG ISPR Instructor Command & Staff College Faculty National Defence University[2]
Battles/wars	Operation Zarb-e-Azb
Awards	Hilal-i-Imtiaz (military)

Education

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

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) also famous for being the very brigade of Zia-ul-Haq, 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] (Retired Lieutenant General and former 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

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

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
	Lieutenant	August 1990
	Second Lieutenant	1990