Arif Bangash was commissioned in the 11th Punjab Regiment formerly known as 27th Punjabis on 18 October 1959 in the 20th PMA Long Course.

He was a course-mate of Lt Gen Farrakh Khan and General Abdul Waheed Kakar, the army chief (who superseded him for the Chief of Army Staff position).

Arif Bangash took over as managing director of Fauji Foundation in April 1996 and stayed there until October 1996.

Later he was appointed the governor of North-West Frontier province on 11 November 1996 where he replaced Maj Gen (retd) Khurshid Ali Khan.

[4] Arif Bangash died on 24 November 2019 In CMH Rawalpindi and is buried in the Army Graveyard.