Abdul Aziz Mirza
Encyclopedia
Admiral
Abdul Aziz Mirza (Sbt, SI(M), HI(M), NI(M)) is a now-retired 4-star
rank naval officer who was the 15th Chief of Naval Staff (CNS)
of Pakistan Navy
from 1999 to 2002, and is served as Pakistan
's ambassador
to Saudi Arabia
from 2002 to 2005. Admiral Mirza is one of the Pakistan Defense Force's Naval officer who participated in numerous battles on behalf of Pakistan. As Admiral, Mirza is credited to give commission to Agosta 90B class submarine
, Pakistan's first indigenously built submarine on French model.
Lal Khan in a small village (Dahmali) within the vicinity of Kahuta
, Rawalpindi
. He comes from a family of military service men who had served in the British Army before the creation of Pakistan. He completed his initial years of schooling in his home town before deciding to choose a career in the armed forces and joining Military College Jhelum
.
He is close relative of Zubair Hussain.
(College No. 2178), Mirza was commissioned in Pakistan Navy in 1965 after undergoing training with the 29th PMA Long Course (same course as General Pervez Musharraf
and Lieutenant General Ali Kuli Khan Khattak at Pakistan Military Academy
, Kakul
. He is a graduate of Pakistan National Defence College
, Islamabad, where he did his double M.Sc.
in War studies
and Strategic studies
. In 1989, As Commander
, he served as a Adjunct professor at the Pakistan Navy War College. Later, he was assigned to the Pakistan Navy Academy in 1990, where as Captain
, Mirza served as the teaching faculty at the Pakistan Naval Academy
.
. He actively participated in 1971 Indo-Pak Winter War
as a Lieutenant
. He commanded a small company of sailors against the Indian Army, and led the little success in given missions.
He was promoted to 1-star
rank, Commodore
, and was made Commander Destroyer Squadron while being the Commanding Officer of PNS Badr (a rare and unusual occurrence) . As Rear Admiral, he was made Additional Secretay - III at the Ministry of Defence in 1997. In 1998, he was promoted as 3-star rank Vice-Admiral where he was made Vice Chief of Naval Staff. Before taking over, Vice-Admiral Mirza was serving as the Vice Chief of Naval Staff (VCNS).
As Vice-Admiral, he led the Navy after the tension in both country's risen. Though, both country were not at war, he was made the theater commander at the Runn Kutch's naval expedition. Later, he held a press conference with then-Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mushahid Hussain Syed where he briefed the nation on Navy's operation if such Indian Navy launched the operations against the Pakistan Navy.
On October 6, 1999, he was promoted to full 4-Star
naval rank by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
at the time, and was made Admiral
in the Pakistan Navy taking over as the Chief of Naval Staff when Admiral Fasih Bokhari
, a war veteran, resigned in protest from the Navy as Admiral Bokhari was denied the Chairmanship of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee
.
He served over 17 years in the submarine
service and, before holding the post of the Chief of Naval Staff, he was overseeing the AGOSTA 90B Class Submarine
construction project in various capacities. During Mirza's time as naval chief, Pakistan built its first indigenous submarine, the French designed AGOSTA 90B Class Submarine
.
of Pakistan
in Saudi Arabia
, was decorated with the rank of Chevalier of the Legion of Honour by the government of France
. French Ambassador
Bernard Poletti to Saudi Arabia
decorated the rank on behalf of the French President to the Ambassador
in recognition of his outstanding contribution as the Chief of Naval Staff in Pakistan
for the enhancement of co-operation between the navies of both the countries. The ceremony was attended by the Pakistani and French diplomats in Saudi Arabia, distinguished dignitaries of both the communities and a large number of ambassadors from diplomatic corps.
During Pervez Musharraf
's military rule, Mirza was replaced by Admiral
Shahid Karimullah
as the naval chief when he was due to retire in 2002. He was again replaced by Karimullah as Pakistan Ambassador to Saudi Arabia in 2005.
On January 14, 2010, Admiral Mirza gives credence to the recent French investigative report that talked of almost $49 million kickbacks in the Agosta-submarine deal allegedly received by now-President
Asif Ali Zardari
, former Chief of Naval Staff
Admiral (desposed) Mansurul Haq and some of the Naval officers, disclosing that the then Benazir government had urged the Pakistan Navy to go for the French subs.
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
Abdul Aziz Mirza (Sbt, SI(M), HI(M), NI(M)) is a now-retired 4-star
4 star rank
Four-star rank is a term used to describe a very senior commander in many of the armed services holding a rank described by the NATO OF-9 code. The term is also used by some armed forces which are not NATO members...
rank naval officer who was the 15th Chief of Naval Staff (CNS)
Chief of Naval Staff (Pakistan)
The Chief of the Naval Staff, abbreviated as CNS, is the highest ranking officer in the Pakistani Navy unless a 4-star naval officer is appointed as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. The current Chief of the Naval Staff is Admiral Asif Sandila who commands the Navy. The CNS reports...
of Pakistan Navy
Pakistan Navy
The Pakistan Navy is the naval warfare/service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan's Navy is responsible for Pakistan's coastline along the Arabian Sea and the defense of important civilian harbors and military bases...
from 1999 to 2002, and is served as Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
's ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
from 2002 to 2005. Admiral Mirza is one of the Pakistan Defense Force's Naval officer who participated in numerous battles on behalf of Pakistan. As Admiral, Mirza is credited to give commission to Agosta 90B class submarine
Agosta 90B class submarine
The Agosta class submarines are French diesel attack submarines used by Spain, Pakistan and formerly by France. The French Navy grouped this model of submarine in their most capable class as an océanique, meaning "ocean-going." A modernised version built for Pakistan, the Agosta 90B, has a crew of...
, Pakistan's first indigenously built submarine on French model.
Personal life
Aziz Mirza was born to Subedar-MajorSubedar-Major
Subedar-Major is the senior rank of Junior Commissioned Officer in the Indian and Pakistani Armies, and formerly Viceroy's Commissioned Officer in the British Indian Army.nirmala...
Lal Khan in a small village (Dahmali) within the vicinity of Kahuta
Kahuta
Kahuta is a town and tehsil in the Rawalpindi District of Pakistan's Punjab Province. According to Pakistan's 2008 census, Kahuta tehsil has a population of approximately 160,000....
, Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi , locally known as Pindi, is a city in the Pothohar region of Pakistan near Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad, in the province of Punjab. Rawalpindi is the fourth largest city in Pakistan after Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad...
. He comes from a family of military service men who had served in the British Army before the creation of Pakistan. He completed his initial years of schooling in his home town before deciding to choose a career in the armed forces and joining Military College Jhelum
Military College Jhelum
Military College Jhelum or MCJ, is a military high school, located at Sarai Alamgir but now in , Pakistan. Though it is physically located in Gujrat District, due to its very close proximity it is still associated with the City of Jhelum, and is considered to be in the cantonment limit of Jhelum...
.
He is close relative of Zubair Hussain.
Education
A graduate of Military College JhelumMilitary College Jhelum
Military College Jhelum or MCJ, is a military high school, located at Sarai Alamgir but now in , Pakistan. Though it is physically located in Gujrat District, due to its very close proximity it is still associated with the City of Jhelum, and is considered to be in the cantonment limit of Jhelum...
(College No. 2178), Mirza was commissioned in Pakistan Navy in 1965 after undergoing training with the 29th PMA Long Course (same course as General Pervez Musharraf
Pervez Musharraf
Pervez Musharraf , is a retired four-star general who served as the 13th Chief of Army Staff and tenth President of Pakistan as well as tenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. Musharraf headed and led an administrative military government from October 1999 till August 2007. He ruled...
and Lieutenant General Ali Kuli Khan Khattak at Pakistan Military Academy
Pakistan Military Academy
The Pakistan Military Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service military academy. It is located at Kakul near Abbottabad in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan....
, Kakul
Kakul
Kakul is a town situated in the Kakul Valley at an elevation of 1300 metres, 5 km northeast of Abbottabad city near the Thandiani Hills, in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The population is around 30,000.-History:...
. He is a graduate of Pakistan National Defence College
National Defence University, Islamabad
The National Defense University is an institution of higher education funded by the Ministry of Defence of Government of Pakistan, intended to facilitate high-level training, education, and the development of national security strategy...
, Islamabad, where he did his double M.Sc.
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
in War studies
War studies
War studies is the multi-disciplinary study of war. It is distinct from military history in that it encompasses a variety of fields:*Laws of war*Philosophy of war**Ethics of war***Just War Theory**Deterrence theory*Psychology of war...
and Strategic studies
Strategic studies
Strategic studies is an interdisciplinary academic field devoted to topics concerning the relationship between politics, geography and natural resources, economics, and military power, such as the role of intelligence, diplomacy and threats in the preparation and use of force...
. In 1989, As Commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
, he served as a Adjunct professor at the Pakistan Navy War College. Later, he was assigned to the Pakistan Navy Academy in 1990, where as Captain
Captain (naval)
Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel....
, Mirza served as the teaching faculty at the Pakistan Naval Academy
Pakistan Naval Academy
The Pakistan Naval Academy The Pakistan Naval Academy The Pakistan Naval Academy (formerly known as Pakistan Naval Station Rahbar (PNS Rahbar) is a four-year coeducational federal military academy located in Manora Island, Sindh Province, Pakistan...
.
Naval career
In 1966 he was stationed at PNS-Dhaka Naval Base, East-PakistanEast Pakistan
East Pakistan was a provincial state of Pakistan established in 14 August 1947. The provincial state existed until its declaration of independence on 26 March 1971 as the independent nation of Bangladesh. Pakistan recognized the new nation on 16 December 1971. East Pakistan was created from Bengal...
. He actively participated in 1971 Indo-Pak Winter War
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a military conflict between India and Pakistan. Indian, Bangladeshi and international sources consider the beginning of the war to be Operation Chengiz Khan, Pakistan's December 3, 1971 pre-emptive strike on 11 Indian airbases...
as a Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
. He commanded a small company of sailors against the Indian Army, and led the little success in given missions.
He was promoted to 1-star
1 star rank
An officer of one-star rank is a senior commander in many of the armed services holding a rank described by the NATO code of OF-6. The term is also used by some armed forces which are not NATO members...
rank, Commodore
Commodore (rank)
Commodore is a military rank used in many navies that is superior to a navy captain, but below a rear admiral. Non-English-speaking nations often use the rank of flotilla admiral or counter admiral as an equivalent .It is often regarded as a one-star rank with a NATO code of OF-6, but is not always...
, and was made Commander Destroyer Squadron while being the Commanding Officer of PNS Badr (a rare and unusual occurrence) . As Rear Admiral, he was made Additional Secretay - III at the Ministry of Defence in 1997. In 1998, he was promoted as 3-star rank Vice-Admiral where he was made Vice Chief of Naval Staff. Before taking over, Vice-Admiral Mirza was serving as the Vice Chief of Naval Staff (VCNS).
As Vice-Admiral, he led the Navy after the tension in both country's risen. Though, both country were not at war, he was made the theater commander at the Runn Kutch's naval expedition. Later, he held a press conference with then-Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mushahid Hussain Syed where he briefed the nation on Navy's operation if such Indian Navy launched the operations against the Pakistan Navy.
On October 6, 1999, he was promoted to full 4-Star
4 star rank
Four-star rank is a term used to describe a very senior commander in many of the armed services holding a rank described by the NATO OF-9 code. The term is also used by some armed forces which are not NATO members...
naval rank by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
Nawaz Sharif
Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif is a Pakistani conservative politician and steel magnate who served as 12th Prime Minister of Pakistan in two non-consecutive terms from November 1990 to July 1993, and from February 1997 to October 12, 1999...
at the time, and was made Admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
in the Pakistan Navy taking over as the Chief of Naval Staff when Admiral Fasih Bokhari
Fasih Bokhari
Admiral Fasih Bokhari, , is a retired four-star admiral and who served as the 14th Chief of Naval Staff of Pakistan Navy from 1997 to 1999....
, a war veteran, resigned in protest from the Navy as Admiral Bokhari was denied the Chairmanship of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee
Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Pakistan
The Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee , is a military administrative body of high-ranking and senior uniformed military leaders and officers in the Pakistan Defense Forces who advises the civilian Government of Pakistan, National Security Council, and Defence Minister on important military matters...
.
He served over 17 years in the submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
service and, before holding the post of the Chief of Naval Staff, he was overseeing the AGOSTA 90B Class Submarine
Agosta 90B class submarine
The Agosta class submarines are French diesel attack submarines used by Spain, Pakistan and formerly by France. The French Navy grouped this model of submarine in their most capable class as an océanique, meaning "ocean-going." A modernised version built for Pakistan, the Agosta 90B, has a crew of...
construction project in various capacities. During Mirza's time as naval chief, Pakistan built its first indigenous submarine, the French designed AGOSTA 90B Class Submarine
Agosta 90B class submarine
The Agosta class submarines are French diesel attack submarines used by Spain, Pakistan and formerly by France. The French Navy grouped this model of submarine in their most capable class as an océanique, meaning "ocean-going." A modernised version built for Pakistan, the Agosta 90B, has a crew of...
.
Post-Retirement
In 2004, Aziz Mirza while serving as AmbassadorAmbassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
of Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
, was decorated with the rank of Chevalier of the Legion of Honour by the government of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. French Ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
Bernard Poletti to Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
decorated the rank on behalf of the French President to the Ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
in recognition of his outstanding contribution as the Chief of Naval Staff in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
for the enhancement of co-operation between the navies of both the countries. The ceremony was attended by the Pakistani and French diplomats in Saudi Arabia, distinguished dignitaries of both the communities and a large number of ambassadors from diplomatic corps.
During Pervez Musharraf
Pervez Musharraf
Pervez Musharraf , is a retired four-star general who served as the 13th Chief of Army Staff and tenth President of Pakistan as well as tenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. Musharraf headed and led an administrative military government from October 1999 till August 2007. He ruled...
's military rule, Mirza was replaced by Admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
Shahid Karimullah
Shahid Karimullah
Admiral Shahid Karimullah, TI, SI, HI, NI, SJ, L'd'H LM, is the former four-star naval officer who, as Chief of Naval Staff , commanded Pakistan Navy from 2002 to 2005. He is one of the most decorated military officer of the Pakistan Defense Forces who later served as Pakistan's ambassador to Saudi...
as the naval chief when he was due to retire in 2002. He was again replaced by Karimullah as Pakistan Ambassador to Saudi Arabia in 2005.
On January 14, 2010, Admiral Mirza gives credence to the recent French investigative report that talked of almost $49 million kickbacks in the Agosta-submarine deal allegedly received by now-President
President of Pakistan
The President of Pakistan is the head of state, as well as figurehead, of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Recently passed an XVIII Amendment , Pakistan has a parliamentary democratic system of government. According to the Constitution, the President is chosen by the Electoral College to serve a...
Asif Ali Zardari
Asif Ali Zardari
Asif Ali Zardari is the 11th and current President of Pakistan and the Co-Chairman of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party . He is also the widower of Benazir Bhutto, who served two nonconsecutive terms as Prime Minister....
, former Chief of Naval Staff
Chief of Naval Staff (Pakistan)
The Chief of the Naval Staff, abbreviated as CNS, is the highest ranking officer in the Pakistani Navy unless a 4-star naval officer is appointed as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. The current Chief of the Naval Staff is Admiral Asif Sandila who commands the Navy. The CNS reports...
Admiral (desposed) Mansurul Haq and some of the Naval officers, disclosing that the then Benazir government had urged the Pakistan Navy to go for the French subs.