Sibte Gillani served in the Pakistan Air Force for 24 years. He graduated from PAF Academy with honours as Best Pilot. He flew 2000 hours on F7P and T-37 aircraft. Throughout his career, he served at different operational and command positions including Squadron Commander, Flight Commander Operations, Base Flight Safety Officer, Air Liaison Officer. His Qualifications include; Flight Safety Course, Command and Staff Course, Defence Resource Management course, Electronic Warfare course, FWIC and QFIC. Sibte has vast instructional and command experience in Basic Flying Training, FLIT Courses and FWIC.

He also planned and executed several national-level joint air exercises and participated in air superiority exercises with USN. While working in the Air Force planning department he was actively involved in trials of new armament and avionics for the upgrading of different fighter aircraft. Sibte has broad experience of leading a variety of air superiority and Ground Attack missions throughout his military career as a fighter pilot and planner.