Change of command: Admiral Abbasi sworn in as naval chief

Outgoing naval chief formally hands over PN’s command by presenting him traditional scroll

ISLAMABAD: Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi was on Saturday sworn in as chief of the naval staff in an impressive change of command ceremony held at PNS Zafar in Islamabad.

President Mamnoon Hussain had appointed Admiral Abbasi as naval chief upon the completion of Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah’s tenure of service.

Admiral Zakaullah formally handed over command of the Pakistan Navy by presenting the traditional scroll to Admiral Abbasi.

Earlier, on their arrival at the venue, the outgoing and newly appointed naval chiefs were presented guard of honour.

The incoming naval chief later laid a floral wreath at Shuhada monument at the Naval Headquarters and offered Fateha. A smartly turned-out contingent of soldiers presented him a guard of honour.



Admiral Abbasi was commissioned in the Pakistan Navy’s Operations Branch in June 1981 and undertook initial training at the Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth in the United Kingdom.

On commissioning, he won the coveted Sword of Honour from Pakistan Naval Academy (PNA). During his distinguished career, Abbasi attained vast experience of both command and staff appointments.

He served as Command of Surface Ships, Commandant PNA, 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.

Admiral Abbasi also worked as assistant chief of naval staff (plans), chief inspector (navy), deputy chief of the naval staff (operations) and chief of staff at the Naval Headquarters.

A graduate of the National Defence University [Islamabad] and the Royal Australian Navy Staff College, Abbasi has received Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) in recognition of his ‘meritorious services’.

The change of command ceremony was attended by a large number of civil and military dignitaries, former naval chiefs, media representatives, sailors and navy civilians.

Admiral Zakaullah’s address

In his farewell address, the outgoing naval chief said the complex and challenging security environment in the region entailed that the nation must have a coherent and lucid perception of the ‘security calculus’.



“The Pakistan Armed Forces are an impregnable defence against all those elements which resort to nefarious designs against our country,” Admiral Zakaullah added

He highlighted the socio-economic importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Gwadar port and underscored that viability and assured dividends of the CPEC would augment mutual cooperation with other regional countries, besides ushering economic stability in the region.

Zakaullah said when he took over the navy’s command three years back, it was his desire to command a multi-dimensional naval force with the highest level of operational preparedness and capability of defending sea frontiers and maritime interests in consonance with national security aspirations.

“Today, I stand affirmed that owing to strenuous hard work of officers and men, the Pakistan Navy has transformed into one of the most professional forces in the world,” he said, adding that now as he relinquished the command, he felt pride for having dedicated his life and services for an excellent force.

He thanked the Almighty for bestowing upon him the ‘sacred onus’ of commanding the Pakistan Navy for defence of the motherland.  “There is 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,” he added.

He thanked the government of Pakistan for entrusting confidence and rendering support and cooperation in discharging his duties. He also expressed gratitude for the principal staff officers, NHQ staff, field commands and navy civilians for extending steadfast support and arduous devotion.

The outgoing naval chief also congratulated Admiral Abbasi for assuming the command of the Pakistan Navy and expressed his heartiest felicitations, according to a statement issued by the navy’s Director General Public Relations.