ISLAMABAD: The interim government of Pakistan has named Vice Admiral Naveed Ashraf as the new Chief of the Naval Staff and promoted him to the rank of Admiral, the Pakistan Navy announced on Tuesday.
The outgoing Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, will formally transfer command during the ‘Change of Command’ ceremony scheduled for October 7.
Vice Admiral Naveed Ashraf holds the most senior rank among three-star Pakistan Navy officers. His career is distinguished, having served in various significant positions within the Navy, including Commander Pakistan Fleet, Naval Secretary, Vice President of the National Defence University, and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff at Naval Headquarters.
Naveed Ashraf got commissioned in the Operations Branch of the Pakistan Navy in 1989. His command appointments have included roles such as Commanding Officer of PNS ALAMGIR, PNS SHAHJAHAN, PNS TIPPU SULTAN, PNS MUJAHID & PNS LARKANA, Commandant of the Pakistan Naval Academy, and Commander of the 18th & 25th Destroyer Squadrons of the Pakistan Navy Fleet.
He has also held important staff appointments, including Fleet Operations Officer at HQ Commander Pakistan Fleet, Captain Training at HQ Flag Officer Sea Training, Deputy President at the National Defence University in Islamabad, Principal Secretary to Chief of Staff Officer, Director of Maritime Affairs and Environmental Control, Chief Staff Officer to Commander Combined Task Force-151 at HQ NAVCENT Bahrain, Director General C4I, Naval Secretary, and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Admin) at Naval Headquarters.
Vice Admiral Naveed Ashraf is a graduate of the Pakistan Navy War College in Lahore, the National Defence University in Islamabad, the Naval Staff College in the USA, and the Royal College of Defence Studies in the UK.
In recognition of his meritorious services, he has been awarded the Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Tamgha-e-Basalat.
His appointment as the new Chief of the Naval Staff reflects his extensive experience and contributions to the Pakistan Navy.
