Admiral Zakaullah appointed new Chief of Naval Staff

E-Paper | March 18, 2026

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Thursday has promoted Vice Admiral Zakaullah to the rank of Admiral and appointed him the Chief of Pakistan Navy on the advice of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Admiral Zakaullah is expected to assume command of the Pakistan Navy on October 7 at the Navy Headquarters in Islamabad.

The outgoing Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Asif will hand over the command to him.

The practice of appointing naval chiefs from amongst the Vice Admirals has been scrupulously followed by all governments.

Earlier in 2011, Sandila was promoted to the rank of Admiral and appointed Chief of the Naval Staff.

Also read: Sandila appointed navy chief

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Jijaji

Oct 02, 2014 03:37pm

Oh this man looks like an infiltrator in the navy.

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zak

Oct 02, 2014 03:46pm

Great man, will take Pakistan Navy to even greater heights or should i say greater depths.

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Hassan

Oct 02, 2014 03:47pm

I have this man on my Navy Calender for 2014 with the previous Chief of Navy and the Prime Minster, photo-op for one of the new cruisers given to Pakistan Navy by China. This was decided long time ago I believe.

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pakistani

Oct 02, 2014 04:10pm

Wish you good luck that you will remove the ills in Pakistan navy and make us proud on our navy and it's professionalism and hard work.

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Sameer H.

Oct 02, 2014 04:10pm

Well you can't appoint a Rear Admiral (2 Star) to be the CNS which is a 4 star appointment (which in Pakistan can and might even happen) so of course the Govt is going to scrupulously follow the practice of appointing a Vice Admiral (3 Star) to be the CNS.

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Jamil

Oct 02, 2014 04:53pm

They call him a head clerk in Navy

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Razzaq

Oct 02, 2014 05:01pm

He is famous for being a pain for his subordinates by over scrutinizing trivial issues and missing the big picture. An indecisive man known of false pretense and low IQ

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Nasir Jamil

Oct 02, 2014 05:11pm

@Jijaji. If it is his beard that makes you say that then know that a beard has been a Naval tradition for ages

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Jamal Nasir

Oct 02, 2014 05:17pm

A routine worker. No charisma, no leadership skills, no following among troops. A pathetic routine decision

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Ahmed

Oct 02, 2014 05:21pm

@Jamal Nasir No one can make a admiral lacking those qualities. You are misinformed

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Oct 02, 2014 05:29pm

Congratulations to the newly appointed Chief of the Naval Staff in the "land of the pure." It merits mention that the author and the outgoing Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Asif Sandila were college mates at Cadet College Kohat (CCK) and played together for three consecutive years in the CCK cricket team as opening batsmen.

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Khawaja Zaigham Hussain Ansari

Oct 02, 2014 05:53pm

Admiral Zakaullah comes from a humble background, and over years because of his hard work, honor and commitment has earned this rank and position. I know him since he joined cadet college and was my older brother batch mate. I am making these comments out of pride and respect and nobody can move up the ranks unless you have the skills. leadership qualities and qualifications to become admiral and CNS. Admiral Zakaullah wish you best and I know you will serve the country with honor, pride and humbleness that has been your character all your life. Dr Khawaja Zaigham hussain Ansari

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KRana

Oct 02, 2014 06:09pm

@zak Pakistan lost in Hockey where are you? you weree expecting big

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nadeem

Oct 02, 2014 06:15pm

Have nice look & May Allah help u protect Pakistan waters with full conviction & strength. We love Pak Navy.

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raj

Oct 02, 2014 06:19pm

Is he appointed on the basis of merit and equality or is he another one from Punjab as there was no one from Sindh tor fulfill the that position?

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nadeem

Oct 02, 2014 06:20pm

@Jamal Nasir dear Sir You should have been directly appointed CNS so that it should not have been a routine decision. Have pity on u n d nation.

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Jasim Baloch

Oct 02, 2014 06:29pm

@raj raj even you are not from Sind - don't try to sow differences in Pakistan. Stay on your side of the border and build more toilets

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Jasim Baloch

Oct 02, 2014 06:31pm

@Jamal Nasir not true he is an honest man

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Oct 02, 2014 07:07pm

@Jamal Nasir you are wrong completely. I have many friends in navy who say he is the most honest, hardworking and fair person and is widely admired for these qualities .

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ladies and gentlemen

Oct 02, 2014 07:15pm

Oh wonderful. The religious look is in, 'everywhere'. Every third Pakistani now shows of facial hair either, beard with moustache or beard without moustache. So far I have managed to miss that band wagon. The navy, after all the recent publicity of infiltrators, has made someone its chief, who also reflects some other agenda than required by a professional commander.

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Khalid

Oct 02, 2014 07:18pm

@Jijaji you should be ashamed of judging people without any basis

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Khalid

Oct 02, 2014 07:20pm

@Khawaja Zaigham Hussain Ansari he is a great man no doubt

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Azhar Shan

Oct 02, 2014 07:21pm

Proud of our navy - salute

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Truth sayer

Oct 02, 2014 07:27pm

@ladies and gentlemen please understand that beard is a naval tradition across ages and nations. It is maliciously wrong to label people based on their looks. Beard does not reflect character but baselessly maligning people does!

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Md Imran

Oct 02, 2014 07:31pm

AoA! Congratulations Sir ! Together with Raheel Sharrif, please keep our flag flying high and continue to give India more sleepless nights !

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Danish

Oct 02, 2014 07:34pm

Looks smart and fit - congratulations

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Agha Nazish

Oct 02, 2014 07:41pm

In an institution where a middle class man can rise to the top with his hard work dedication and honesty deserves praise. He has represented Pakistan in Olympics in sailing and has won Asian Championship for the country. A well deserved promotion and best of luck !

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Oct 02, 2014 07:45pm

I retired from navy 26 years ago and saw him as a young man. He was always a promising officer, upright and honest to the core

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Navid Fazil

Oct 02, 2014 07:49pm

@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad and do you know Admiral Zaka comes from CCH ... he has also won two Asian Games gold medals for Pakistan

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Kamal Shah

Oct 02, 2014 07:53pm

@ladies and gentlemen religion is not a bad thing, extremism is. Don't confuse the two.

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Aleem

Oct 02, 2014 08:52pm

@Agha Nazish If winning Asia cup is the criteria for becoming the CNS of a multi-dimensional force, then may the Almighty help us!

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Aleem

Oct 02, 2014 08:55pm

Hopefully Adm Zakaullah will move aggressively against obscurantist elements within the service. Its the need of the hour for the service to maintain its outlook as a service that represents all of Pakistan (which Navy has proudly done since the founding of the Country) and one that does not allow extremist, anti-Pakistani/state elements to denigrate the service and undermine the security of Pakistan.

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Jason Moore

Oct 02, 2014 09:17pm

I attended an International course with him a few years back. He was at a level above others officer participants. We were in awe of his competence and intellect. Good luck mate!

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deendyal lulla

Oct 02, 2014 09:18pm

he is related to general musharraf, sab andar ki baat hai

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Ilyas

Oct 02, 2014 09:20pm

@Aleem please concentrate on accounting. Excellence in sports shows commitment, competence and his achievements depict his ability to attain excellence in whatever he does. Don't be jealous - What have you won at that level?

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A. Mirza

Oct 02, 2014 09:37pm

In my opinion the only CNS so far that deserved this rank 100% on merit and was Mr. Fasih Bokhari.

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NINO

Oct 02, 2014 11:07pm

@Nasir Jamil Jija's comments are most inappropriate. Sad but there is little one can do about such judgements.

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Lucky Star

Oct 03, 2014 12:01am

Only lucky people serve PN, PA, and PAF.

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Mujtaba Hussain

Oct 03, 2014 12:20am

He's an all rounder. Most of you don't know that he has earned for Pakistan, a gold medal in Asian Sailing Championship. He's a professional who who has never compromised with his profession. That is the reason he dragged all of his subordinates out of their comfort zone during different commands. Pls the recent dockyard incident made his selection inevitable. I pray and wish him success. May Allah bless him with enormous achievements and success. Pakistan Zindabad!

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MCat

Oct 03, 2014 01:32am

@NINO you are right. Ignoring them is the best policy

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Ahmed USA

Oct 03, 2014 02:23am

Congratulations Admiral Zakaullah!!!...you make us proud!!!...

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imran

Oct 03, 2014 03:22am

@Khawaja Zaigham Hussain Ansari proud day to be an abdalian!!

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Oct 04, 2014 08:22pm

@Hassan no it was decided 2 days ago. At that time probably he was Commander of Pakistan fleet

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