Two-time gold medalist appointed new naval chief

Zakaullah will be in command for the next three years

ISLAMABAD:


Twice Asian Games gold medalist and an ace yachtsman, Vice Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah has been appointed the new chief of Pakistan Navy.


President Mamnoon Hussain, who is also the supreme commander of armed forces of the country, on Thursday approved Zakaullah’s promotion as four-star admiral and appointed him the new Chief of Naval Staff. He will take charge of the office on October 7, the day outgoing Naval Chief Muhammad Asif Sandila will retire.


Vice Admiral Zakaullah has represented Pakistan at numerous international events including 1984 Olympics (USA), 1986 Asian Games (South Korea) and 1990 Asian Games (China). He won the gold medal at the Asian Games twice and various other awards at International Sailing Championships.

Zakaullah was among the three other three star vice admirals of the Pakistan Navy whose names were being considered for the top slot.

The newly promoted admiral will command the navy for the next three years.

In a ceremony scheduled to take place at PNS Zafar Naval Complex in the federal capital on October 7, the outgoing naval chief will hand over the command of Pakistan Navy to the new chief.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3rd, 2014.
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