Admiral Zakaullah assumes command of Pakistan Navy

E-Paper | March 18, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah on Tuesday assumed command of the Pakistan Navy at an impressive ceremony at PNS Zafar located at Naval Headquarters in Islamabad.

Admiral Zakuallah's predecessor Admiral Asif Sandila handed over the command of the Pakistan Navy to him.

Speaking at the change of command ceremony, the outgoing naval chief said "Pakistan Navy is safeguarding the sea frontiers of Pakistan despite limited resources; it has proved to be an effective arm of defence of Pakistan.”

He also wished success for Admiral Zakaullah.

Senior Defence officials and former naval chiefs also attended the ceremony.

On October 2, President Mamnoon Hussain had 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.

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

Take a look: Vice Admiral Zakaullah appointed navy chief

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Ahmed USA

Oct 07, 2014 10:47am

Congratulations Admiral Zakaullah!!!...Allah has chosen you to command world's best and robust naval force which is second to none...modernize and deploy effective deterrent capabilities at the earliest...and make us all proud!!!

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Moiz Omar

Oct 07, 2014 12:21pm

Hope you do your duty well.

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Taimoor A.Mukhtar

Oct 07, 2014 12:48pm

Congratulations Admiral Zakaullah !! We all know for sure our Navy is second to none. Long live Pakistan and nation proud on our Navy and associated units !

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Iqbal Hadi Zaidi

Oct 07, 2014 01:10pm

Merit and not sifarish is counted in case of Admiral Muhammad Zakaulah which is very much heartening to be honest and hence it must be appreciated whole heartedly and I wish that from now onward the principle of merit and merit only be quite strictly applied in all appointments including cabinet ministers, advisors and assistants, head of organizations etc. Sifarshi tattoos who have already been inducted directly or indirectly by honorable PM Nawaz be shunted out and meritorious only be inducted instead, if not annoying to honorable PM Nawaz otherwise Go Nawaz Go. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi

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amit

Oct 07, 2014 02:11pm

@Ahmed USA kuuch bhi....... ur navy is weakest .....

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Pakistani

Oct 07, 2014 02:17pm

Please try to complete U-214 and Perry Frigate acquisition projects

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haroon

Oct 07, 2014 04:26pm

Allah Bless you. Amin.

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Confused

Oct 07, 2014 07:27pm

"The practice of appointing naval chiefs from amongst the Vice Admirals has been scrupulously followed by all governments." The Chief is SUPPOSED to be a Vice Admiral at the time of promotion to four-star Admiral as per the rules and provisions. What exactly was the purpose of the aforementioned statement??

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ahmed

Oct 07, 2014 07:29pm

Why don't we strengthen our Navy? We are truly weak when it comes to Navy needs!

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deendyal lulla

Oct 07, 2014 07:32pm

please ban alcohol and drugs in the navy.

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deendyal lulla

Oct 07, 2014 07:35pm

Asif sandila was a known currupt

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Oct 07, 2014 09:44pm

Welcome to the club.

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Mahendra Singh

Oct 07, 2014 10:19pm

The information is fine but it should also have included that he has won two gold medals for Pakistan in 1986 Asian Games ( Yachting) and 1990 Asian games respectively. Not many sportspesons have done that. He won them in enterprise class with Munir Sadiq.

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Lalu

Oct 07, 2014 11:11pm

Make sure navy is always ready. India can't be trusted AT ALL.

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Sohail

Oct 08, 2014 12:58am

@Mahendra Singh Ya. They also didn't mention he is sword of honor.

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Canadawala

Oct 08, 2014 04:32am

@Iqbal Hadi Zaidi Go in western world means to carry on the good work. This appointment is another example Nawaz works on merit.

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ruliaram5

Oct 08, 2014 06:06am

He has a boyish look

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Muneeb

Oct 08, 2014 06:49am

@Ahmed USA, world's best and robust navy. Frankly dear, you know nothing.

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Syed Saifuddin

Oct 08, 2014 06:51am

What an excellent person. We were in the same wing at Cadet College Hasan Abdal , he being junior to me by one year. Since then it was my gut feeling that he was destined to reach heights and I feel so proud to see him now at the pinnacle of Pakistan's Naval command. Heartiest congratulation, Admiral.

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SHAHID LATIF

Oct 08, 2014 06:54am

Admiral Zakaullah is a professional Naval Officer. He is known to be an upright person. Congratulations and prayers for him for his successful tenure.

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Hornet

Oct 08, 2014 05:25pm

@SHAHID LATIF But he shouldn't have thanked unneccessarily to the prime minister, though every one knows he didn't have much to do in promoting the Defence services officers.

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