Tahir Rafique Butt NI(M) HI(M) SI(M) TBt (Urdu:طاهر رفيق بٹ;b.

Tahir Rafique Butt was born in 1955 to a Kashmiri family, in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.

[4] After graduating from PAF Public School in 1973, he enrolled in Punjab University and attained BSc in Science in 1975.

The same year, Butt's nomination was accepted at the Pakistan Air Force Academy after being interviewed by the Inter-Services Selection Board.

[6] From December 2007 until July 2008, Rafique served as the Chief Instructor (CI) and commandant of the National Security College at NDU.

[7] Tahir Butt graduated from the Air Force Academy on 6 March 1977 as a General Duty Pilot (GDP).

[7] From 1977 to 1979, he served on various flight assignments and joined the Air Force Academy to instruct flying courses on fixed-wing aircraft.

[7] His staff assignment included the deputy director of Special Operations and Development at the AHQ from 1996 to 1999.

[7] Prior to being appointed as chief of air staff, Rafique was serving as the VCAS at the AHQ.