Career
At the time of his appointment, he was serving as the Corps Commander V Corps, Karachi. Zaheerul Islam was commissioned in the Punjab Regiment in the 55th PMA Long Course on 16 April 1977. He served as Corps Commander V Corps in Karachi before appointment of Inter-Services Intelligence Chief.
Zaheer served as Directorate General (C) in the Inter-Services Intelligence before he was promoted as a 3-star general and moved to Karachi as corps commander.
He was GOC Murree for some time before coming to the Inter-Services Intelligence. He also served as Chief of Staff in the Army Strategic Force Command for 2004–2006.