ISLAMABAD: Rear Admiral Abdul Aleem and two other officers, Commodore Naveed Ashraf and Commodore Ovais Ahmed Bilgrami have been promoted to Vice Admiral and Rear Admiral, respectively, with immediate effect.

Vice Admiral Abdul Aleem was commissioned in the operations branch in 1984. He has a distinguished career with wide-ranging command and staff experience, said a press release issued by the PN’s director general public relations on Wednesday.

His important command appointments include commanding officer of Missile Boat and Destroyer, commander of Combined Task Force-151 at HQ Navcent Bahrain, commandant PNS Bahadur, commander 25th Destroyer Squadron, commandant PN War College Lahore and Flag Officer Sea Training. His last appointment was Commander Coast.

His staff appointments include principal secretary to Chief of the Naval Staff, chief inspector (Navy) and deputy chief of Naval Staff (Projects) at naval headquarters.

He is a graduate of Pakistan Navy War College, National Defence University Islamabad and US Naval War College. In recognition of his meritorious services, Vice Admiral Abdul Aleem has been awarded Sitara-i-Imtiaz (military) and Hilal-i-Imtiaz (military). At present, he is performing the duties of chief of staff (personnel) at naval headquarters Islamabad.

Rear Admiral Naveed Ashraf was commissioned in the operations branch in 1989.

His important command appointments include commanding officer of three destroyers, commandant Pakistan Naval Academy, and commander 18th Destroyer Squadron. His Staff appointments include, chief staff officer to Commander Combined Task Force150 HQ Navcent, Bahrain and Captain Training (Surface Wing) at HQ FOST.

Presently, he is commanding 25th Destroyer Squadron of PN Fleet. He is a graduate of Pakistan Navy War College, National Defence University Islamabad and Naval Staff College USA.

Rear Admiral Ovais Ahmed Bilgrami was commissioned in the operations branch in 1989 after completing initial training at Pakistan Naval Academy and Britannia Royal Naval College, Darthmouth, UK.

As a navigation specialist and principal warfare officer, he has served on various command and staff appointments.

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2017