Process to appoint Pakistan Navy’s news Admiral has been started and for this purpose four names have been forwarded to the prime minister of Pakistan, reported Dunya News.
According to details, the following four names have been sent to the Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi; Vice Admiral Zafar Mehmood Abbas, Vice Admiral Syed Arifullah Hussaini, Vice Admiral Waseem Akram and Vice Admiral Kaleem Shaukat. Admiral Zakaullah will hang his boots on October 8. On Prime Minister’s recommendation, President of Pakistan will give the approval for naval chief.
On basis of seniority,
Vice Admiral Zafar Mehmood Abbasi,
who is also the current chief of staff, is on the top on seniority list. He got commission in Pakistan Navy in 1981. He also received sword of honor at Pakistan Naval Academy. He studied at Britain’s Royal Naval College.
He was appointed as Commandant Pakistan Naval Academy, Commander Surface Ships and DG Pakistan Maritime Security Agency at different points during his career.
Second on the seniority list is Vice Admiral Syed Arifullah Hussain,
who is also the deputy chief of operations. He also commanded surface ships and mine warfare squadrons.
Vice Admiral Syed Arifullah Hussain joined Pakistan Navy in 1978 and was commissioned in 1981 in the Operations Branch.
He qualified the Surface Warfare Operation Course from USA, and the National Defence Course from China. He is also a graduate of the National Defence University, Islamabad.
During his tenure with the Navy, he has held various command and staff appointments on sea billets. He has commanded PNS Zulfiquar and PNS Tariq. He has also served as the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Plans & FP), and Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Personnel).
Vice Admiral Syed Arifullah Hussain was promoted to the rank of a Rear Admiral on 2 January 2010 and appointed Commander of AUXMIN. In June 2013, he was appointed COMCOAST (Commander Coast), a position he retained until 2014. As COMCOAST, he commanded all units and establishments of Pakistan Navy along the coastal belt and creek areas. In addition, he headed the Special Services Group (Navy) and Pak Marines. During this period, he was also the Chairman Board of Governors of Cadet College Ormara, Baluchistan.
In Aug 2014, Arifullah Hussaini was promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral and appointed COMKAR. He is also in charge of all training units of Pakistan Navy at Karachi.
He has been the recipient of Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military), Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) and Tamgha-e-Basalat awards.
Vice admiral Waseem Akram is third on the list of seniority,
Vice Admiral Waseem Akram was commissioned in Operations branch of Pakistan Navy in 1982. During his distinguished career, the Admiral attained vast experience of both Command and Staff appointments. His Command appointments include Executive officer Type-21 Ship, Commanding Officer of Naval Aviation Training School and Seaking Squadron and Type Commander of Auxiliary and Mine Warfare Squadron. Some of his key Staff appointments include Director General Naval Intelligence, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Personnel) at Naval Headquarters, Director General Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, Flag Officer Sea Training. The officer has also been Defence Attache at Oman. The Admiral is presently serving as Commander coast.
The officer is a graduate of Pakistan Navy War College, Turkish Staff College and National Defence University, Islamabad.
In recognition of his meritorious service the Admiral has been awarded Hilal-e-Imtiaz(Military) and Sitara-e-Basalat.
while Vice Admiral Kaleem Shaukat is ranked fourth.
Vice Admiral Kaleem Shaukat, upon completion of initial training at Britannia Royal Navy College Dartmouth got commission in June 1982. He has a distinguished career with wide-ranging command and staff experience. His command appointments include Commanding Officer of Type-21 ship, Commander 25th Destroyer Squadron, Commander Combined Task Force 151 and Commander Central Punjab/ Commandant PN War College.
His important staff appointments include director Naval Warfare and Operational Plans, principal secretary to chief of the naval staff, deputy chief of the naval staff (operations) and deputy chief of the naval staff (projects) at NHQ Islamabad.
Shaukat has also served as defence attaché of Pakistan at Qatar. The admiral is presently serving as commander Pakistan Fleet. Shaukat is a graduate of National Defence University, Islamabad and Armed Forces College, Turkey. For his meritorious services the admiral has been awarded Hilal-e-Imtiaz (military).
Both these officers took commission in 1982. They are appointed deputy chief of training and evaluation and commander Pakistan fleet respectively.
