Zafar Mahmood Abbasi
{{short description|16th Naval Chief of Pakistan}}
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = Admiral
| name = Zafar Mahmood Abbasi
| honorific_suffix = {{small|NI(M) HI(M) SI(M) BJSN}}
| image = Pakistan_Navy_Chief_of_Naval_Staff_Admiral_Zafar_Mahmood_Abbasi.jpg
| image_size = 280px
| alt =
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| native_name = {{nq|ظفر محمود عباسى}}
| native_name_lang =
| birth_name = Zafar Mahmood Abbasi
| other_name =
| nickname = Z.M. Abbasi
| birth_date =
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| allegiance = {{PAK}}
| branch = {{navy|PAK}}
| serviceyears = 1979–2020
| serviceyears_label =
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| servicenumber = PN-2381
| unit =
| commands = Vice Chief of Naval Staff
Combined Task Force 150
Commander Pakistan Marines
Commander Logistic
Pakistan Maritime Security Agency
25th Destroyer Squadron
| battles_label =
| battles = 2001-2002 India-Pakistan standoff
War in North West-Pakistan
Operation Enduring Freedom–HOA
2016 India-Pakistan military confrontation
2019 India–Pakistan border skirmishes
| awards = 60px{{small|Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military)}}
60px{{small|Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military)}}
60px{{small|Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military)}}
60px{{small|Turkish Legion of Merit}}
60px{{small|Order of King Abdulaziz}}
60px{{small|Bintang Jalasena Utama}}
50px{{small|Sword of Honour}}
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Zafar Mahmood Abbasi {{small|{{small|NI(M) HI(M) SI(M) BJSN}}}} ({{langx|ur|{{nq|ظفر محمود عباسى}}}}) is a retired four-star admiral of the Pakistan Navy who served as the 21st Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) of Pakistan Navy from 7 October 2017 until 7 October 2020.{{cite news|title=Zafar Mahmood Abbasi takes over command as Pakistan Navy chief|url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/cns.html|publisher=Pakistan Navy}}
Career
Abbasi joined the Pakistan Navy in 1979 after graduating from Cadet College Hasanabdal. He was educated at the Pakistan Naval Academy and did his initial training at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth in the United Kingdom.{{cite news|author=|title=Promotions: Two rear admirals made vice admirals |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/752110/promotions-two-rear-admirals-made-vice-admirals/|access-date=14 August 2017|work=The Express Tribune|publisher=The Express Tribune, 2014|date=22 August 2014}} He was commissioned in the Navy as a Lieutenant in 1981 upon graduating from the Naval Academy and was conferred with the Sword of Honour.{{cite news|title=Promotions in Navy notified|url=http://fp.brecorder.com/2010/01/201001021002457/|access-date=14 August 2017|work=Business Recorder|publisher=Business Recorder, 2010|date=2010}} He served as an executive officer in a Tariq-class destroyer.
Later he joined the Submarine Branch, and specialised in underwater warfare in Pakistan as well as qualified for the surface warfare from the United States.{{cite web|url=https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:toXbeCv0DnUJ:www.cjoscoemaritimeconference.org/speakers/Mahmood%2520Abbasi.pdf+rear+admiral+zafar&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESj0xoDazmhDjARd_3D3k_YjaEB5dd0Fuv6V1aUZKLeT-XCOnnVWAeKvByhGNwm_3ckcPKUGV2euQSnmPUErAgIeTTtCsr9XivD7sbdG_n4Phi4FTm5nQyYP1geeSrA_ytnAjDEG&sig=AHIEtbQRxT4V_KwkCQHIOy4Fp3Dg8V6xnQ |title=Rear Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi SI(M) |publisher=Google documents }}
He is a graduate of the Royal Australian Naval College, attending it in 1989, and attained a B.S., and a MSc from the National Defence University.{{cite news|title=Rear Admirals Zafar Mahmood Abbasi and Syed Arifullah Hussaini promoted Vice Admiral|url=http://officialnews.pk/59573/rear-admirals-zafar-mahmood-abbasi-and-syed-arifullah-hussaini-promoted-vice-admiral/|access-date=14 August 2017|work=officialnews.pk|publisher=Official news pakistan|date=21 October 2014}}
His command assignment included his role as commandant of the Naval Academy, as well as Director-General of the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, which he commanded from 2010 until 2011.{{cite web|title=::Pakistan Maritime Security Agency::|url=http://www.pmsa.gov.pk/previous-dg.php|website=www.pmsa.gov.pk|publisher=PMSA|access-date=14 August 2017}} From 2001 to 2003, he was the commanding officer of the PNS Khaiber. From 2005 until 2007, he commanded the 21st Mine Squadron and 25th Destroyer Squadron. In 2008, he was promoted to one-star rank, Commodore, and was the Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Operations) and later, the Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Plans), until he was promoted to two-star rank in 2010.{{cite news|title=PM approves Pak Navy promotions|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/895441|access-date=14 August 2017|work=DAWN.COM|publisher=Dawn Newspaper, 2010|date=1 January 2010|language=en}}
Rear-Admiral Abbasi took over the command of the Combined Task Force 150 which he led from April 2010 until October 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.cusnc.navy.mil/articles/2010/CMF029.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516214517/http://www.cusnc.navy.mil/articles/2010/CMF029.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 16, 2011 |title=Pakistan Assumes Command of Combined Task Force 150 |publisher=cusnc.navy.mil |date=15 April 2010}} In 2013, Rear-Admiral Abbasi took over the command as Commander Logistics (COMLOG) but this was a short-lived appointment.{{cite news|title=Rear Admiral Z M Abbasi takes over as Commander Logistics and Rear Admiral Syed Arifullah Hussaini as Commander Coast Pakistan Navy {{!}} Pakistan Press Releases|url=http://pakistanpressreleases.com/rear-admiral-z-m-abbasi-takes-over-as-commander-logistics-and-rear-admiral-syed-arifullah-hussaini-as-commander-coast-pakistan-navy/|access-date=14 August 2017|work=pakistanpressreleases.com}}
In 2013, Rear-Admiral Abbasi was appointed as the Commander of the Karachi Coast (COMCOAST), becoming Flag officer commanding (FOC) of the Pakistan Marines.{{cite web|title=Transfer of Commands in Pakistan Navy|url=http://paksoldiers.com/2013/06/10/transfer-of-commands-in-pakistan-navy/|website=Pakistan Military & Defence News|publisher=Pakistan Military & Defence News|access-date=14 August 2017|date=10 June 2013}}
In 2014, Rear-Admiral Abbasi was appointed as fleet commander of the Pakistan Navy as Commander, Pakistan Fleet (COMPAK) with three-star rank promotion.{{cite news|title=Rear Admiral Zafar assumes Pakistan fleet command|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1109636|access-date=14 August 2017|work=DAWN.COM|date=31 May 2014|language=en}}{{cite news|title=Rear Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi takes over as Commander Pakistan Fleet, Rear Admiral Imdad Hussain Jafri as Commander Logistic Pakistan Navy|url=http://medialinepakistan.com/86826.htm/rear-admiral-zafar-mahmood-abbasi-takes-over-as-commander-pakistan-fleet-rear-admiral-imdad-hussain-jafri-as-commander-logistic-pakistan-navy/|access-date=14 August 2017|work=medialinepakistan.com|agency=medialinepakistan|publisher=medialinepakistan|date=2014}}{{cite news|title=Vice Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi HI(M) Commander Pakistan Fleet in a group|url=http://photos.thenews.com.pk/e_image_detail.asp?catId=2&date=4/17/2015&albumId=0&page=2&picId=98958|access-date=14 August 2017|work=The News International}}
In 2014, Vice-Admiral Abbasi was a contender to be appointed as a four-star admiral and take over the command of the Navy as its Chief of Naval Staff, along with Vice-Admiral Khan Hasham bin Saddique and Vice-Admiral S. A. Hussaini.{{cite news|title=Navy chief to retire next week|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1135241|access-date=14 August 2017|work=DAWN.COM|publisher=Dawn Newspapers, 2014|date=30 September 2014|language=en}} However, the most senior admiral in the Navy, Admiral Mohammad Zakaullah was promoted to the four-star appointment,{{cite news|last1=staff|title=Vice Admiral Khan Hasham appointed Vice Naval Chief|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/535867-vice-admiral-khan-hasham-appointed-vice-naval-chief|access-date=14 August 2017|work=www.thenews.com.pk|agency=News International|date=30 November 2014|language=en}} He continued serving as the Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Operations) at the Naval Headquarters.{{cite web|title=KARACHI: October 29 – Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Operations), Vice Admiral Zafar Mehmood Abbasi and Commander Pakistan Fleet, Vice Admiral Arif Ullah Hussaini along with Turkish Mission Commander witnessing the exercise onboard the Turkish Ship Buyukada at North Arabian Sea. APP {{!}} APP Photo Service|url=http://photo.app.com.pk/photo/2016/10/karachi-october-29-deputy-chief-of-the-naval-staff-operations-vice-admiral-zafar-mehmood-abbasi-and-commander-pakistan-fleet-vice-admiral-arif-ullah-hussaini-along-with-turkish-mission-commande/|website=photo.app.com.pk|access-date=14 August 2017}}
Upon the retirement of Vice-Admiral Khan Hasham bin Saddique, Vice-Admiral Abbasi took over as the vice chief of naval staff in June 2017.{{cite news|title=Pakistan Navy - Ilm Se Dunya|url=http://ilmsedunya.com/pakistan-navy/|access-date=14 August 2017|work=Ilm Se Dunya|date=18 July 2017}}
Chief of Naval Staff
On 3 October 2017, Vice-Admiral Abbasi was promoted to four-star admiral in the Navy, and was announced by the MoD of his appointment to take over the command of the Navy as Chief of Naval Staff.{{cite news|last1=Anis|first1=Mohammad|last2=Zaafir|first2=M. Saleh|title=Admiral Zafar Abbasi appointed as new naval chief|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/234437-Admiral-Zafar-Abbasi-appointed-as-new-naval-chief|access-date=10 October 2017|work=www.thenews.com.pk|publisher=The News International|date=4 October 2017|language=en}} He supersedes no one and was the senior most-ranking admiral in the Navy.{{cite news|author=|title=Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi appointed Pakistan's new Naval Chief|url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/admiral-zafar-mahmood-abbasi-appointed-pakistans-news-naval-chief/|access-date=10 October 2017|work=Daily Pakistan Global|agency=Daily Pakistan Global|date=10 October 2017}}
On 7 October 2017, Admiral Abbasi took over the command of the Navy as Chief of Naval Staff from outgoing Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah at the PNS Zafar in Islamabad.{{cite news|last1=Siddiqui|first1=Naveed|title=Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi takes charge of Pakistan Navy|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1362312|access-date=10 October 2017|work=DAWN.COM|agency=Dawn Newspaper|publisher=Dawn Newspaper, 2017|date=7 October 2017}}
On 30 October 2017, Admiral Abbasi was conferred and honored with Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) by the President Mamnoon Hussain for "recognition of his long meritorious services, exceptionally commendable performance and inspirational devotion to duty."{{cite news|title=President confers Nishan-e-Imtiaz on Naval Chief Zafar Abbasi|url=http://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/412183-President-confers-Nishan-e-Imtiaz-on-Naval-Chief-Zafar-Abbasi|access-date=31 October 2017|work=Dunya News}}
On 15 December 2017, Admiral Abbasi was conferred with "Legion of Merit of the Turkish Armed Forces" by Commander Turkish Naval Forces, Vice Admiral Adnan Ozbal during his official visit to Turkey.{{Cite web |title=Pak naval chief conferred with Turkish award |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/256391-pak-naval-chief-conferred-with-turkish-award |access-date=2022-04-01 |website=www.thenews.com.pk |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Naval Chief awarded Turkish Armed Forces Legion of Merit |url=https://www.radio.gov.pk/14-12-2017/naval-chief-admiral-abbasi-awarded-turkish-armed-forces-legion-of-merit |access-date=2022-04-01 |website=www.radio.gov.pk |language=en}}
On 13 March 2018, Abbasi was awarded with Saudi Arabia's Order of King Abdulaziz by the Chief of General Staff of the Royal Saudi Armed Forces Fayyadh Al Ruwaili.{{cite news |date=13 March 2018 |title=Naval chief awarded medal in Saudi Arabia |work=Geo News |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/186154}}
On 1 February 2020, Abbasi was awarded Bintang Jalasena Utama, Indonesia's highest military award.{{cite news |title=Indonesia's highest military award conferred on Naval Chief |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/607917-indonesia-s-highest-military-award-conferred-on-naval-chief |work=The News International |date=2 February 2020}}{{Cite web |date=2020-02-01 |title=Indonesia confers highest military award on Admiral Abbasi |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/2148644/indonesia-confers-highest-military-award-admiral-abbasi |access-date=2022-04-01 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}
He retired from the Pakistan Navy as Chief of the Naval Staff on 7 October 2020.{{Cite web|date=2020-10-08|title=Admiral Amjad Niazi assumes command of Pak Navy|url=https://nation.com.pk/08-Oct-2020/admiral-amjad-niazi-assumes-command-of-pak-navy|access-date=2020-10-10|website=The Nation|language=en}}
Awards and decorations
| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
| colspan="4" |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Surface Warfare Officer Insignia.png|width=200}} |
| colspan="4" |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Pak Navy CaS.png|width=55}} |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Nishan-e-Imtiaz.png|width=130}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Hilal-e-Imtiaz.png|width=130}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Sitara-e-Imtiaz.png|width=130}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-e-Baqa (1998).png|width=130}} |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-e-Istaqlal (2002).png|width=130}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-e-Azm.png|width=130}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=10 years Service Medal (Pakistan Armed Forces).png|width=130}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=20 years Service Medal.png|width=130}} |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=30 years Service Medal.png|width=130}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=35 years Service Medal.png|width=130}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=40 years Service Medal.png|width=130}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-e-Sad Saala Jashan-e-Wiladat-e-Quaid-e-Azam.png|width=130}} |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Hijri Tamgha.png|width=130}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Jamhuriat Tamgha 1988.png|width=130}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Qarardad-e-Pakistan Tamgha Pakistan.svg|width=130}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Independence Day Golden Jubilee Medal, 2006.svg|width=130}} |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Turkish Armed Forces Medal of Merit.png|width=130}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Order of King Abdulaziz, 1st Class (Saudi Arabia).png|width=130}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Britannia Royal Naval College Medal.png|width=130}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Bintang Jalasena Utama rib.svg|width=130}} |
= Foreign decorations =
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{succession box | title=Chief of Naval Staff
| before=Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah
| after=Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi| years=7 October 2017 – 7 October 2020}}
{{s-end}}
{{Pakistan Navy Staff Chief}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Abbasi, Zafar Mahmood}}
Category:Pakistan Naval Academy alumni