President Pervez Musharraf on Thursday appointed Vice Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir, HI (M), as Chief of the Naval Staff and promoted him to the rank of Admiral.
The Government has notified that the President has appointed him as Naval Chief and his promotion to the rank of admiral will be effective from the date of assuming charge.
Admiral Tahir will succeed Admiral Shahid Karimullah who will relinquish the Command of Pakistan Navy after completion of his tenure. The change of command ceremony will be held on October 7, 2005, at PNS ZABAR Ground, Naval Complex, E-8, Islamabad.
Admiral Afzal Tahir was born on January 4, 1949, in Faisalabad. He joined Pakistan Navy in 1967 and did his initial training with 40th PMA Long Course at PMA Kakul. He was commissioned in the Operations Branch of Pakistan Navy in 1970. He saw action in 1971 war.
He is one of the pioneers of Naval Aviation and saw it progressing since 1973. The Admiral specialises in Anti-Submarine Warfare. He is a Graduate of Joint Services Staff College and National Defence College of Pakistan. He has vast experience of Staff and Command appointments.
His Staff appointments include Chief Staff Officer to Commander Pakistan Fleet, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Operations), Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Projects) at Naval Headquarters and Instructor at Joint Services Staff College.
His Command assignments include Command of a Guided Missile Destroyer, Command of Naval Aviation and Commander Pakistan Fleet. He is presently carrying out the duties of Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Training and Personnel).
Besides his professional pursuits he is a keen sportsman and single-handicap golfer.
He is married; has three daughters and two sons, and is also a proud grandfather.-PR