Islamabad (Web Desk): Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi on Wednesday took charge as the new chief of Pakistan Navy.
According to details, the change of command ceremony was held at PNS Zafar in Islamabad where Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi handed over command of the Pakistan Navy to the new naval chief.
Outgoing Naval Chief Zafar Mahmood Abbasi was also presented a guard of honour, the Radio Pakistan reported.
In his farewell address, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi said Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi has a distinguished career and expressed the confidence he will lead Pakistan Navy to new heights.
Admiral Abbasi said during his tenure as the Naval Chief, his special emphasis remained on combat readiness and professional competence.
Giving a complete overview of the development strategies of Pakistan Navy, the outgoing Naval Chief said these are aligned with the evolving threats and challenges.
Zafar Mahmood Abbasi said a fleet size of fifty plus ships including twenty major ships was envisioned to improve the capabilities of the naval force. He said four Chinese Frigates will be inducted in the next few years. Four Turkish medium class ships will be inducted between 2023 and 2025.
The outgoing Naval Chief said Hangor submarine project in collaboration with China is progressing well with four submarines being built in China and four in Pakistan.
Admiral Abbasi said these submarines will be delivered to Pakistan in the next few years. He said this project will transform us from a submarine operating Navy to a submarine building Navy.
Zafar Mahmood Abbasi said a major naval base for surface ships is being developed at Gwadar to enhance Pakistan Navy's operational flexibility along our coast.
Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi was commissioned in Operations Branch of Pakistan Navy in 1985.
He has served on various command and staff posts. His command appointments include Pakistan Fleet Commander, commanding officer of PNS Badr and PNS Tariq, 18th Destroyer Squadron commander, commandant PNS Bahadur and commandant Pakistan Navy War College/commander Central Punjab, Lahore.
His previous staff appointments include principal secretary to chief of the naval staff, head of F-22P Mission China, deputy chief of naval staff (training and evaluation) and director general of naval intelligence.
Admiral Niazi is a graduate of Army Command and Staff College, Quetta, and National Defence University, Islamabad. He holds a masters degree in Underwater Acoustics from Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China.
He is a recipient of the Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Sitara-i-Basalat. He has also been conferred with the French Medal Chevalier (Knight) by the government of France.