Fasih Bokhari
Encyclopedia
Admiral
Fasih Bokhari, (Urdu: ايڈ ميرل فصى بخارى; SBt
, SI(M), HI(M), NI(M)), is a retired four-star admiral
and who served as the 14th Chief of Naval Staff
(CNS) of Pakistan Navy
from 1997 to 1999.
A war hero, he resigned as Chief of Naval Staff of Pakistan Navy on October 6, 1999 after being superseded by much junior military officer and newly promoted General Pervez Musharraf
, when he was appointed as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee
in addition to his being Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army
. As an admiral, Bokhari was responsible for the induction of the Agosta 90B class submarine
for the Pakistan Navy
. He was a submariner
by profession and was the Navigating Officer on the Hangor
when it sunk the Khurki
in 1971.
at Dartmouth before being commissioned into the Pakistan Navy in May 1962. At Dartmouth, he did his B.Sc.
in Military science
and was inducted in Navy Submarine Service Branch of Pakistan Navy in 1964. He attended the French Naval War College in 1975 where he did his M.Sc.
in War studies
. Since then, he had numerous key staff and command positions, both ashore and afloat. As a younger naval officer, Fasih Bokhari had resigned earlier many years ago to pursue another career in the face of what he considered bleak prospects in the Navy for his future. Persuaded by his seniors to stay, he reached the top of his profession.
He joined the submarine service in 1964 and was part of the acquisition crew of the Daphné class submarine
. Fasih Bokhari was a Navigating Officer of PNS Hangor
deployed under the command of Captain Tasneem Ahmed. He commanded a Daphne submarine and toured on duty as destroyer commander. Besides, he had been commander of submarines, the director of naval operations and director of the naval warfare operation plans.
on May 1 of 1997. During the Kargil fiasco, Admiral Bokhari led the Pakistan Navy which according to him Army did not take Navy in complete confidence.
According to his personal account, Pakistan Navy was not taken into confidence when Pakistan Army
, under the command of Chief of Army Staff General Pervaiz Musharraf, had launched the Kargil Operation. On October 6, 1999, Admiral Bokhari resigned from the Navy in protest, as he was denied the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee
by Prime minister
Nawaz Sharif. Instead, Prime minister Nawaz Sharif appointed and made Chief of Army Staff General Pervaiz Musharraf as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, who was much junior to Admiral Bokhari both in command experience and in merit.
Parvaiz Mehdi Qureshi
, both of whom were leading their respective forces during Kargil War
, have demanded a commission of inquiry to probe the Kargil operation and have agreed to appear before it to give their version of the events surrounding the Kargil episode.
Admiral Bokhari had repeatedly called for court-martial of General Pervez Musharraf as he violated the Constitution
, and illegally overthrow the democratically elected government of Nawaz Sharif in 1999. According to him, he was fully aware of General Musharraf's intention as he became the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee.
He is known to be a supporter of peace with India and even adversaries recognize that. Indian Navy Admiral (r) JG Nadkarni recently wrote that Pakistan had sensible mariners in decision-making positions who were keen to have agreements with the Indian Navy. “Admiral Fasih Bokhari, Pakistan’s naval chief from 1997 to 1999, was a great proponent of maritime co-operation with India and believed that it would benefit both countries,” the Indian Admiral wrote.
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, (Urdu: ايڈ ميرل فصى بخارى; SBt
Awards and decorations of the Pakistan military
The awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces recognize a service member's service and personal accomplishments while a member of the Pakistan armed forces...
, SI(M), HI(M), NI(M)), is a retired four-star 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"...
and who served as the 14th 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...
(CNS) 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 1997 to 1999.
A war hero, he resigned as Chief of Naval Staff of Pakistan Navy on October 6, 1999 after being superseded by much junior military officer and newly promoted 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...
, when he was appointed as Chairman 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...
in addition to his being Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
. As an admiral, Bokhari was responsible for the induction of 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...
for the 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...
. He was a submariner
Submariner
Submariner can mean:*A sailor who is a crewman of a submarine*Namor the Sub-Mariner, a comic-book character in the Marvel Comics Universe*Rolex Submariner, a make of diver's watch*Submariner an album by Experimental rock band The Dead Science...
by profession and was the Navigating Officer on the Hangor
PNS Hangor
PNS Hangor was a Daphné class submarine that served in the Pakistan Navy from 1970 to 2006. She was built by France, and was a type of diesel-electric submarine class. She earned renown, when during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, she sank the Indian Navy's ASW frigate INS Khukri with two Homing...
when it sunk the Khurki
INS Khukri
INS Khukri was a British Type 14 frigate of the Indian Navy. She was sunk off the coast of Diu, Gujarat, India by the Pakistan Navy Daphne class submarine Hangor on 9 December 1971 during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. This was the first warship sunk in action by a submarine since World War II...
in 1971.
Naval career
Bokhari enjoyed a lively career in the Navy, and had held notable commands. A war hero, Admiral Bokhari joined the navy on January 1, 1959 and attended the Britannia Royal Naval CollegeBritannia Royal Naval College
Britannia Royal Naval College is the initial officer training establishment of the Royal Navy, located on a hill overlooking Dartmouth, Devon, England. While Royal Naval officer training has taken place in the town since 1863, the buildings which are seen today were only finished in 1905, and...
at Dartmouth before being commissioned into the Pakistan Navy in May 1962. At Dartmouth, he did his B.Sc.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in Military science
Military science
Military science is the process of translating national defence policy to produce military capability by employing military scientists, including theorists, researchers, experimental scientists, applied scientists, designers, engineers, test technicians, and military personnel responsible for...
and was inducted in Navy Submarine Service Branch of Pakistan Navy in 1964. He attended the French Naval War College in 1975 where he did his 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...
. Since then, he had numerous key staff and command positions, both ashore and afloat. As a younger naval officer, Fasih Bokhari had resigned earlier many years ago to pursue another career in the face of what he considered bleak prospects in the Navy for his future. Persuaded by his seniors to stay, he reached the top of his profession.
He joined the submarine service in 1964 and was part of the acquisition crew of the Daphné class submarine
Daphne class submarine
The Daphné class was a type of diesel-electric patrol submarines built in France between 1958 and 1970 for the French Navy and for export.-History:...
. Fasih Bokhari was a Navigating Officer of PNS Hangor
PNS Hangor
PNS Hangor was a Daphné class submarine that served in the Pakistan Navy from 1970 to 2006. She was built by France, and was a type of diesel-electric submarine class. She earned renown, when during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, she sank the Indian Navy's ASW frigate INS Khukri with two Homing...
deployed under the command of Captain Tasneem Ahmed. He commanded a Daphne submarine and toured on duty as destroyer commander. Besides, he had been commander of submarines, the director of naval operations and director of the naval warfare operation plans.
Senior Staff Appointments
A graduate from the French Naval War College in 1975, he had served as assistant chief of naval staff of personnel from 1991 till 1992, and then as deputy chief of naval staff of naval supply from 1992-1995. In 1995, he was promoted as Vice-Admiral and assumed the command of the Pakistan Fleet till1997, as he was appointed to that position in August 1995 Vice Admiral Shamoon Alam Khan. He was promoted to Rear Admiral in 1992 and to Vice Admiral in 1997. In 1997, he promoted as full four-star admiral in the Navy, and became Chief of Naval StaffChief 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...
on May 1 of 1997. During the Kargil fiasco, Admiral Bokhari led the Pakistan Navy which according to him Army did not take Navy in complete confidence.
According to his personal account, Pakistan Navy was not taken into confidence when Pakistan Army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
, under the command of Chief of Army Staff General Pervaiz Musharraf, had launched the Kargil Operation. On October 6, 1999, Admiral Bokhari resigned from the Navy in protest, as he was denied the Chairman 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...
by Prime minister
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...
Nawaz Sharif. Instead, Prime minister Nawaz Sharif appointed and made Chief of Army Staff General Pervaiz Musharraf as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, who was much junior to Admiral Bokhari both in command experience and in merit.
Kargil War introspection
After retirement, Fasih Bokhari along with former Air Chief MarshalAir Chief Marshal
Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
Parvaiz Mehdi Qureshi
Parvaiz Mehdi Qureshi
Air Chief Marshal Parvaiz Mehdi Qureshi is a retired senior officer of the Pakistan Air Force . He served as the PAF Chief of Air Staff from 1997 to 2000 and led the PAF during the 1999 Kargil War...
, both of whom were leading their respective forces during Kargil War
Kargil War
The Kargil War ,, also known as the Kargil conflict, was an armed conflict between India and Pakistan that took place between May and July 1999 in the Kargil district of Kashmir and elsewhere along the Line of Control...
, have demanded a commission of inquiry to probe the Kargil operation and have agreed to appear before it to give their version of the events surrounding the Kargil episode.
Admiral Bokhari had repeatedly called for court-martial of General Pervez Musharraf as he violated the Constitution
Constitution of Pakistan
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is the supreme law of Pakistan. Known as the Constitution of 1973, it was drafted by the government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and, following additions by the opposition parties, was approved by the legislative assembly on April 10, 1973...
, and illegally overthrow the democratically elected government of Nawaz Sharif in 1999. According to him, he was fully aware of General Musharraf's intention as he became the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee.
He is known to be a supporter of peace with India and even adversaries recognize that. Indian Navy Admiral (r) JG Nadkarni recently wrote that Pakistan had sensible mariners in decision-making positions who were keen to have agreements with the Indian Navy. “Admiral Fasih Bokhari, Pakistan’s naval chief from 1997 to 1999, was a great proponent of maritime co-operation with India and believed that it would benefit both countries,” the Indian Admiral wrote.