Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Pakistan’s Nay, has taken command as the 23rd naval chief.
In a distinguished ceremony in Islamabad, the baton of command was passed from Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi, the outgoing naval chief, to his successor, Admiral Ashraf. The Director General Public Relations (Navy) announced this transition earlier in the week and mentioned Admiral Ashraf’s promotion to the four-star rank.
During his valedictory speech, Admiral Niazi lauded Admiral Ashraf for his remarkable achievements and experience in pivotal roles. Expressing complete trust, the departing chief envisioned Admiral Ashraf elevating the navy to unparalleled zeniths.
Admiral Niazi remarked on the Pakistan Navy’s formidable stature, “Pakistan Navy stands as a strong and vital arm of the country’s armed forces capable of protecting our maritime frontiers.” He emphasized Pakistan’s cooperative stance on maritime security while cautioning about the concerning stance of their neighbour, hinting at India’s transitioning dynamics. The ex-chief stressed preparedness and steadfastness in facing looming challenges.
Furthermore, Admiral Niazi accentuated the paramount importance of the blue economy for nations.
Profile of Admiral Naveed Ashraf
Admiral Ashraf’s journey with the Pakistan Navy began in 1989 when he was commissioned into its Operations Branch. His stellar career was inaugurated with the Quaid-e-Azam Gold Medal, marking his initial training in Germany and Pakistan.
Spanning over three decades, his diverse experience comprises commanding stints of gunboats, mine hunters, destroyers, and notable destroyer squadrons. Apart from commanding the Pakistan Navy Fleet, Admiral Ashraf also served as the Commandant of the Pakistan Naval Academy.
His tenure witnessed roles varying from Fleet Operations Officer and Captain Training to higher designations such as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Admin) and Director General C4I.
Admiral Ashraf’s academic pursuits took him to esteemed institutions like the Pakistan Navy War College Lahore and the Royal College of Defence Studies UK. His dedication and service have been commemorated with awards like Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Tamgha-e-Basalat.
