Chief of Naval Staff (Pakistan)
Encyclopedia
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 to the President of Pakistan
, as the President is the head of the state. The CNS is responsible for the command of the Navy, utilization of resources, and operations of the Navy and for naval shore activities.
The CNS is the naval advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan
and President of Pakistan
and advises the civilian leadership on matters of naval operations and the conduct of naval warfare. The Chief of the Naval Staff is appointed by the President after consultation with the Prime Minister. A requirement for being Chief of the Naval Staff is having significant experience in joint duty assignments, which includes at least one full tour of duty in a joint duty assignment as a flag officer. By statue, the CNS is a 4-star Admiral and serves as a principal member of the 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...
. The current Chief of the Naval Staff is 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"...
Asif Sandila
Asif Sandila
Admiral Muhammad Asif Sandila, , is a 4-star rank admiral who is the current and 19th Chief of Naval Staff of Pakistan Navy...
who commands the Navy. The CNS reports to the President of Pakistan
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...
, as the President is the head of the state. The CNS is responsible for the command of the Navy, utilization of resources, and operations of the Navy and for naval shore activities.
The CNS is the naval advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan
Prime Minister of Pakistan
The Prime Minister of Pakistan , is the Head of Government of Pakistan who is designated to exercise as the country's Chief Executive. By the Constitution of Pakistan, Pakistan has the parliamentary democratic system of government...
and President of Pakistan
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...
and advises the civilian leadership on matters of naval operations and the conduct of naval warfare. The Chief of the Naval Staff is appointed by the President after consultation with the Prime Minister. A requirement for being Chief of the Naval Staff is having significant experience in joint duty assignments, which includes at least one full tour of duty in a joint duty assignment as a flag officer. By statue, the CNS is a 4-star Admiral and serves as a principal member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee.
List of Past Chiefs of the Naval Staff
The following is a list of Admirals who have served as the either Commander-in-Chief or the Chief of the Naval Staff of the Pakistan Navy.| No. | Name | Appointment Date | Left Office | Decorations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naval Commander-in-Chief, Royal Pakistan Navy (RN Royal Navy The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service... Rear-Admiral) |
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| 1 | Rear-Admiral James Wilfred Jefford James Wilfred Jefford Rear Admiral James Wilfred Jefford was the first Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Pakistan Navy, serving from its inception in 1947 until 1953. Most of his early career was in the Royal Indian Navy.... |
15 August 1947 | 30 January 1953 | |
| Naval Commander-in-Chief, Pakistan Navy (3-star Vice-Admirals) |
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| 2 | Vice-Admiral Haji Mohammad Siddiq Choudri HMS Choudri Vice Admiral Haji Mohammad Siddiq Choudri, HPk, MBE, , was the second Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Navy serving from 1953 to 1959. He was also the first Muslim and native naval chief taking the reins from Rear Admiral James Wilfred Jefford... |
31 January 1953 | 28 February 1959 | HPk, MBE Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions... |
| 3 | Vice-Admiral Afzal Rahman Khan Afzal Rahman Khan Vice-Admiral Afzal Rahman Khan , , was a high profile military official who served as the Interior and Defence Minister under the military government of Field Marshal Ayub Khan... |
1 March 1959 | 20 October 1966 | HPk, HJ, HQA |
| 4 | Vice-Admiral Syed Mohammad Ahsan Syed Mohammad Ahsan Vice-Admiral Syed Mohammad Ahsan HQA, SPk, DSO, was a senior three-star admiral who was the 4th Chief of Naval Staff of Pakistan Navy from October 20, 1966 to August 31, 1969... |
20 October 1966 | 31 August 1969 | HQA, SPk, DSC Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom) The Distinguished Service Cross is the third level military decoration awarded to officers, and other ranks, of the British Armed Forces, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and British Merchant Navy and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries.The DSC, which may be awarded posthumously, is... |
| 5 | Vice-Admiral Muzaffar Hassan Muzaffar Hassan Vice Admiral Muzaffar Hassan, HQA, SPk, was the last Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Navy from 1969 to 1972, and led the Pakistan Navy during the Indo-Pakistan Naval Operations of the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War... |
1 September 1969 | 22 December 1971 | HQA, SPk |
| 6 | Vice-Admiral Hasan Hafeez Ahmed Hasan Hafeez Ahmed Vice Admiral Hasan Hafeez Ahmed, TQA , was a senior naval officer who served as the first Chief of Naval Staff of Pakistan Navy. Vice-Admiral H.H. Ahmed commanded Pakistan Navy from 1972 until his death on 9 March 1975... |
3 March 1972 | 9 March 1975 | TQA |
| Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) of Pakistan Navy (4-star Admirals) |
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| 7 | 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"... Mohammad Shariff Mohammad Shariff Admiral Mohammad Shariff, , , is a retired four-star naval officer and a career war veteran. Admiral Mohammad Shariff took over the command of Pakistan Navy on 21 March, 1979, when a three-star vice-admiral, Hasan Hafeez Ahmed, died in office... |
23 March 1975 | 21 March 1979 | HJ Hilal-i-Jurat The Hilal-i-Jur'at Various official sources that are highly reputable spell the name of the medal differently, so the Pakistan Army website spelling is being taken as the official spelling... , NI, SJ |
| 8 | 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"... Karamat Rahman Niazi Karamat Rahman Niazi Admiral Karamat Rahman Niazi, NI, SJ, HI, is a retired senior four-star naval officer who served as a Chief of Naval Staff of Pakistan Navy from 1979 to 1983... |
22 March 1979 | 23 March 1983 | NI(M), SJ |
| 9 | 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"... Tariq Kamal Khan Tariq Kamal Khan Admiral Tariq Kamal Khan , NI, is a retired 4-Star rank naval officer who served as the 9th Chief of Naval Staff of Pakistan Navy from 1983 to 1986. He is a recipient of Nishan-i-Imtiaz , which is awarded to all the services chiefs upon taking over their respective commands.-Education:Khan was... |
23 March 1983 | 9 April 1986 | NI(M) |
| 10 | 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"... Iftikhar Ahmed Sirohey Iftikhar Ahmed Sirohey Admiral Iftikhar Ahmed Sirohey, NI, SBt, HI, , is a now-retired and senior four-star admiral who was the 10th Chief of Naval Staff of Pakistan Navy from 1986 to 1988... |
9 April 1986 | 9 November 1988 | NI(M), SBt |
| 11 | 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"... Yastur-ul-Haq Malik Yastur-ul-Haq Malik Admiral Yastur-ul-Haq Malik, NI, SBt, is a retired 4-Star naval officer and 11th Chief of Naval Staff of Pakistan Navy from 10 November 1988 to 8 November 1991. He is a recipient of Nishan-i-Imtiaz , which is awarded to all the services chiefs upon taking over their respective commands and... |
10 November 1988 | 8 November 1991 | NI(M), SBt |
| 12 | 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"... Saeed Mohammad Khan Saeed Mohammad Khan Admiral Saeed Mohammad Khan, NI, SBt, is now-retired 4-star rank naval officer and the 12 Chief of Naval Staff of the Pakistan Navy from 9 November 1991 9 November 1994.-Naval career:... |
9 November 1991 | 9 November 1994 | NI(M), SBt |
| 13 | (deposed Deposition (politics) Deposition by political means concerns the removal of a politician or monarch. It may be done by coup, impeachment, invasion or forced abdication... 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"... ) Mansurul Haq |
10 November 1994 | 1 May 1997 | stripped off (NI(M), SBt) |
| 14 | 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"... 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.... |
2 May 1997 | 2 October 1999 | NI(M), SBt |
| 15 | 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"... Abdul Aziz Mirza Abdul Aziz Mirza Admiral Abdul Aziz Mirza is a now-retired 4-star rank naval officer who was the 15th Chief of Naval Staff 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... |
2 October 1999 | 2 October 2002 | NI(M), SBt, L'Honour |
| 16 | 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... |
3 October 2002 | 6 October 2005 | NI(M), SJ, L'Honour, L'Merit Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements... |
| 17 | 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"... Muhammad Afzal Tahir Afzal Tahir Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir, NI, is the former Chief of Naval Staff of the Pakistan Navy and the career naval officer, who retired on 7 October 2008 after completing the three-year service. He was succeeded by newly-appointed Admiral Noman Bashir... |
7 October 2005 | 7 October 2008 | NI(M), L'Merit Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements... |
| 18 | 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"... Noman Bashir Noman Bashir Admiral Noman Bashir, Admiral Noman Bashir, Admiral Noman Bashir, (NI(M), TI(MI, SI(M), HI(M), LM) was a 4-star rank Admiral who served as the 18th Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) of the Pakistan Navy, 7 October 2008 when Admiral Afzal Tahir retired from the navy, until 07 October 2011... |
7 October 2008 | 7 October 2011 | NI(M), L'Merit Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements... |
| 19 | 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"... Asif Sandila Asif Sandila Admiral Muhammad Asif Sandila, , is a 4-star rank admiral who is the current and 19th Chief of Naval Staff of Pakistan Navy... |
7 October 2011 | Present | HI(M), L'Honour |
See also
- Pakistan NavyPakistan NavyThe 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...
- Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (Pakistan)
- Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)
- Chief of Air Staff (Pakistan)Chief of Air Staff (Pakistan)The Chief of the Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force, abbreviated as CAS, is typically the highest ranking 4-star rank officer in the Pakistan Air Force, unless a four-star officer is appointed as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. The CAS is a senior and permanent member of the...
- Chief of General Staff (Pakistan)Chief of General Staff (Pakistan)Chief of General Staff, shortly abbreviated as CGS, is the most coveted position within the Pakistan Army. Although four-star Chief of Army Staff is the nominal head of the land forces, CGS is the operational and intelligence lead of the institution...