ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: President Mamnoon Hussain on Tuesday approved the appointment of Vice Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi as the new Chief of Naval Staff in place of Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah.
The incumbent Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah will be completing his tenure on October 6.
The appointment of the new Chief of Naval Staff was made on the advice of Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on a summary initiated by the Ministry of Defence.
The summary was initiated in terms of Article 243(4)(c) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973, read with the entry at S. No. 12A of Schedule V-B to Rule 15-A(1) of the Rules of Business 1973.
The Chief of the Naval Staff designate Vice Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi will stand promoted to the rank of Admiral from the date he assumes charge of his office.
Vice Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi was among top three names who had been considered for the appointment of Chief of Naval Staff.
Currently, Abbasi is the Chief of Staff at Naval Headquarters while other two candidates Vice Admiral Syed Arifullah Hussaini is the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Projects) and Vice Admiral Shah Sohail Masood is the Commander of Naval Strategic Force Command.
