Karachi, Pakistan – The Pakistan Navy has officially announced Vice Admiral Naveed Ashraf as the successor to Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi as the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS). This significant change in leadership will be marked by a change of command ceremony scheduled for October 7, 2023, where Vice Admiral Ashraf will also be conferred with the prestigious four-star rank.
Vice Admiral Naveed Ashraf has a distinguished career in the Pakistan Navy, having been commissioned in the Operations Branch in 1989. His academic achievements include graduating from the National Defense University Islamabad, the US Naval War College, and the UK’s Royal College of Defense Studies.
President of Pakistan has appointed Vice Admiral Naveed Ashraf as Chief of the Naval Staff & promoted him to the rank of Admiral w.e.f 7 Oct 23. He will succeed Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, who will relinquish the Command of Pakistan Navy on 7 Oct 23. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/9E3wOJgBRb
— DGPR (Navy) (@dgprPaknavy) October 3, 2023
Currently serving as the chief of staff at the Naval Headquarters, Vice Admiral Ashraf brings a wealth of experience from various key command and staff positions. His past roles include serving as the commandant of the Pakistan Fleet and Pakistan Naval Academy, as well as holding positions as deputy chief of naval staff (operations), deputy chief of naval staff (training and operations), and deputy president of the National Defence University.
In recognition of his outstanding professional service and courage, Vice Admiral Ashraf has been honored with prestigious awards by the government, including the Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) and Tamgha-i-Basalat.
Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi, the incumbent CNS, took charge of the Pakistan Navy on October 7, 2020. The change of command ceremony on that occasion was held at PNS Zafar in Islamabad, where Admiral (retd) Zafar Mahmood Abbasi symbolically handed over the command of the Pakistan Navy to Admiral Niazi.
With Vice Admiral Naveed Ashraf poised to assume command, Pakistan’s Navy looks ahead to continue its mission of safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests and security.
