The Outgoing Naval Chief Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi handed over the command to the New Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf at the change of command ceremony in Islamabad (Saturday, October 7).
According to the media reports, Admiral Naveed Ashraf has taken charge as the 23rd Naval Chief of the Pakistan Navy. The Outgoing Naval Chief Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi congratulated Admiral Naveed for assuming command in his farewell address.
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Amjad Khan Niazi said the Admiral has a distinguished career, studded with notable achievements. He was confident that Admiral Naveed Ashraf would prove to be an able and worthy successor who would lead the Navy to new heights. Pakistan Navy stands as a strong and vital arm of the country’s armed forces capable of protecting our maritime frontiers, he said, adding that Pakistan believes in collaboration when it comes to maritime security.
The outgoing Naval Chief further stated that as India transitions into Bharat, we will see pronounced fundamentalism, extremism, and bigotry in our neighborhood. This implies a significant war-mongering and expansion-centered agenda that will complicate security challenges in the future. He said we must be prepared to respond to the challenges with professionalism, preparedness, and unwavering self-esteem.
It is pertinent to mention here that Naveed Ashraf was commissioned in the Operations Branch of the Pakistan Navy in 1989. He is a graduate of the National Defense University Islamabad, the US Naval War College, and the UK’s Royal College of Defense Studies. He has vast experience working in key command and staff positions. In recognition of his exceptional professional services and valiance, Naveed Ashraf has also been awarded with Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) and Tamgha-i-Basalat.
