He also attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government, United States, in a program for Senior Executives in National and International Security.

[1] In 1972, Zahir joined the civil service and worked in various government departments before enlisting in the Maldives National Defense Force in 1978 to the rank of sergeant and was commissioned as an officer two years later.

He assumed command as Chief of Defence Force (CDF) of MNDF, formerly known as the National Security Service (NSS), on November 11, 1996, as a brigadier.

During this tenure, he played an integral role in conceptualizing and doctrinally developing the operational functioning of all the arms and services of the MNDF.

Zahir's dedicated effort in the development of the military has been highly appreciated by all ranks of the Maldives National Defence Force.