Zafar Mahmood Abbasi appointed as new Naval chief

ISLAMABAD: Vice Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi has been appointed as the new Chief of Naval Staff.

He will replace Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah who retires on October 6. Zakullah has been serving as Naval Chief since October 2014.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi recommended his appointment which has been approved by President Mamnoon Hussain.

Zafar Mahmood  is the senior most ranking naval officer. Others who were considered includes Vice Admiral S.A.  Hussaini, Vice Admiral Shah Sohail Masood and Vice Admiral Waseem Akram.

Abbasi joined the Pakistan Navy in 1978 and was educated at the Pakistan Naval Academy. His has also served as commandant of the Naval Academy as well as Director-General of the Maritime Security Agency. He took over as vice chief of naval staff in June 2017