New chief for Pakistan Navy

Admiral Mohamamd Asif Sandila takes over from Admiral Nauman Bashir.

ISLAMABAD: Admiral Muhammad Asif Sandila replaced the outgoing Admiral Nauman Bashir as the Chief of Naval Staff on Wednesday.

The newly-appointed naval chief called on President Asif Ali Zardari at the presidency, where the latter congratulated him on his promotion. The two also discussed matters relating to the navy during the meeting.

Meanwhile, the outgoing chief of naval staff paid a farewell call to Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani at the Prime Minister House.

Admiral Sandila was commissioned in the operations branch of the navy in 1975.

The officer has held appointments which include Command of a guided missile Destroyer PNS BADR and 25th Destroyer Squadron. He was also director-general Maritime Security Agency and Commander Logistics.

Sandila commanded the navy fleet from Oct 2008 to Nov 2009. He is a recipient of the Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military).

Published in The Express Tribune, October 6^th, 2011.