Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi assumed the command of Pakistan Navy here at a ceremony on Saturday. Outgoing Naval Chief Admiral Zakaullah handed over the command stick to the new Chief of Naval Staff. A smartly turned-out contingent of Pakistan Navy presented guard of honour to the new Naval Chief.
Speaking on the occasion, outgoing Naval Chief Zakaullah felicitated Zafar Mahmood Abbasi for assuming the command of Pakistan Navy and expressed the confidence that under his able leadership, the force will continue the march towards development.
Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah thanked Almighty Allah to have bestowed upon him the sacred onus of commanding Pakistan Navy for the defence of mother land. The Admiral acknowledged that there was no greater privilege and honour for him than to have been associated with such a noble profession and an array of dauntless, devoted and capable officers and men.
Referring to the challenges facing the country and the region, Zakaullah said the country's armed forces are fully prepared for defense of the homeland.
"The regional challenges are complex and far from being over. We believe it is important to maintain the regional balance of power," he said. "We have full capabilities to defend our country." He added that Pakistan has signed a frigate contract with China.
While highlighting the socio-economic importance of CPEC and Gwadar port for the country, the outgoing Naval Chief underscored that viability and assured dividends of CPEC related projects will augment mutual cooperation with other regional countries, besides ushering economic stability in the region.
Admiral Zakaullah also said that while relinquishing the command of Pakistan Navy, he felt pride for having dedicated his life and services for an excellent force.
"We have signed a modern service ship contract with China which will be prepared at Karachi shipyard," he said. He said Pakistan Navy has thwarted the sordid designs of the enemy in the waters. Later, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi laid floral wreath at Martyrs Monument at Naval Headquarters and offered Fateha.
Newly sworn in, Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi was commissioned in Operations Branch of Pakistan Navy in June 1981. The officer undertook initial training at Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth, UK. On commissioning, he won the coveted Sword of Honour from Pakistan Naval Academy. During his distinguished career, Admiral Abbasi attained vast experience of both command and staff appointments.
His command appointments include Command of Surface ships, Commandant Pakistan Naval Academy, Commander 25th Destroyer Squadron, DG Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, Commander Coast, Commander Logistics, Commander Pakistan Fleet and Command of Multi-National Combined Task Force 150 at HQ Navcent Bahrain.
His key staff appointments include Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Plans), Chief Inspector (Navy), Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Operations) and Chief of Staff at Naval Headquarters.
Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi is a graduate of National Defence University Islamabad and Royal Australian Navy Staff College. In recognition of his meritorious services, the Admiral has been awarded Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military). The change of command ceremony was attended by a large number of civil and military dignitaries, former naval chiefs, media representatives, CPOs/sailors and Navy civilians.
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