commander Karachi
{{Short description|Officer in command in the Pakistan Navy}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox official post
| post = Commander Karachi
| body =
| native_name =
| insignia = 150px
| insigniasize = 100px
| insigniacaption = Insignia of COMKAR
| insigniaalt =
| flag = Pakistan Navy Vice Admiral.svg
| flagsize = 125px
| flagborder = yes
| flagcaption = Flag of a Pakistan Navy three-star vice admiral
| image = Vice Admiral Muhammad Faisal Abbasi HI(M).jpg
| incumbent = Muhammad Faisal Abbasi
| acting =
| incumbentsince = 12 October 2024
| department =
| style =
| type = Command-in-field
| status = Active
| abbreviation = COMKAR
| member_of =
| reports_to = Vice Chief of the Naval Staff
| residence = Karachi Cantonment, Pakistan
| seat = HQ Comkar, Karachi, Pakistan
| nominator =
| appointer = Chief of the Naval Staff
| appointer_qualified =
| termlength = Indeterminate
| termlength_qualified =
| constituting_instrument =
| precursor = Chiefs of Staff (departmental)
| inaugural =
| formation =
| first =
| last =
| abolished =
| succession =
| unofficial_names =
| deputy =
| salary =
| website =
| footnotes =
}}
The Commander Karachi (COMKAR){{efn|{{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|کمانڈر کراچی}}}}, {{IPA|ur|kəˈmɑːn.d̪ər kəˈraː.tʃiː}}; Pronounced in English as {{IPAc-en|k|ə|ˈ|m|æ|n|d|ə|r||k|ə|ˈ|r|æ|tʃ|i}} and {{IPAc-en|k|ə|ˈ|m|ɑː|n|d|ə|r||k|ə|ˈ|r|ɑː|tʃ|i}}.}} is a formal designation in the Pakistan Navy, typically held by a three-star vice admiral. The COMKAR heads the Pakistan Karachi Command, overseeing the administration and operation of all naval establishments and training units in Karachi.{{cite web | title=New commanders of PN COMKAR, COMCOAST assume charge | website=Brecorder | date=20 October 2020 | url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40027414 | access-date=13 December 2024}} It is one of the six command-in-field designations in the navy and ranks as the second-highest position after the commander, Pakistan Fleet (COMPAK).{{cite web | title=Admin Authorities | website=Pakistan Navy Official Website | url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/admin_Authorities.html | access-date=13 December 2024}} The current commander of the Karachi Command is vice admiral Muhammad Faisal Abbasi who assumed the role on 12 October 2024.{{cite web | title=Vice Admiral Faisal Abbasi, Rear Admiral Abdul Munib take over as Commander Karachi, Commander Pakistan fleet | website=The Nation | date=12 October 2024 | url=https://www.nation.com.pk/12-Oct-2024/vice-admiral-faisal-abbasi-rear-admiral-abdul-munib-take-over-as-commander-karachi-commander-pakistan-fleet | access-date=13 December 2024}}
In 1994, the Pakistan Navy operated under four main commands: COMPAK, responsible for the fleet; COMLOG, overseeing logistics; COMFORNAV, managing naval installations in northern Pakistan; and COMKAR, which has been serving as the naval head of Karachi Command and is responsible for overseeing the only major naval base in Karachi.{{cite web | title=DTIC ADA390927: Defense Spending Databases for Countries in the Asia-Pacific Region: An Analysis and Comparison : Defense Technical Information Center : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive | website=Internet Archive | date=1 March 2001 | url=https://archive.org/details/DTIC_ADA390927/page/167/mode/1up?q=Comkar | access-date=13 December 2024}}{{cite book | last=Waters | first=C. | title=Seaforth World Naval Review 2012 | publisher=Pen & Sword Books | year=2011 | isbn=978-1-78383-098-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Us87DAAAQBAJ&pg=PT209 | access-date=13 December 2024 | page=209}}
Role and responsibilities
As suggested in the PN organizational structure, COMKAR reports directly to the vice chief of the Naval Staff. The position holds a rank equivalent to the departmental chiefs of Staff for Operations, Personnel, and Logistics. Unlike the chiefs of Staff—who serve in staff roles and are subordinate to the vice chief of Staff, and ultimately to the chief of Staff—COMKAR performs the only command-in-field duties regardless of holding an equivalent rank to the departmental chiefs of Staff.{{cite web | title=PN Organization | website=Pakistan Navy Official Website | url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/organization.html | access-date=13 December 2024}}
The COMKAR oversees various shore units within the Pakistan Navy, which play central roles in naval training, support, and operations. These units collectively contribute to maintaining operational readiness, addressing professional capabilities, and supporting the administrative and logistical needs of the navy. As of 2924, all eleven units, including the Pakistan Naval Academy, are responsible to the Commander, Karachi.
The COMKAR is also responsible for the command and control of the PNS Bahadur, a premier training institute for officers and sailors; PNS Dilawar, specializing in advanced naval training; PNS Himalaya, focusing on the initial training of recruits; and PNS Karsaz, which provides technical and professional education. The officer is also responsible for the administration of the PNS Nigraan, responsible for inspections; PNS Rahat and PNS Shifa, both operating as naval hospitals with medical and advanced healthcare facilities; PNS Rahbar, which manages seamanship and navigation training; PNS Rahnuma, supporting operational planning and guidance; and the Submarine Training Centre (STC), which offers specialized submarine training programs.{{cite web | title=Training Establishments: L M School | website=Pakistan Navy Official Website | date=14 August 1995 | url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/LMschool.html | access-date=13 December 2024}} and the PNS Submarine Training Centre, a specialized training program.{{cite web | title=Field Command: COMKAR | website=Pakistan Navy Official Website | url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/comkar.html | access-date=13 December 2024}}
Appointment
As suggested by the sources such as Business Recorder, Dawn{{cite web | title=New Comkar takes charge | website=DAWN.COM | date=26 October 2021 | url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1654092 | access-date=13 December 2024}} and Geo News,{{cite web |title=Rear Admiral Ather Mukhtar takes over as Commander Karachi | website=Geo.tv | date=31 March 2017 | url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/136264-Rear-Admiral-Ather-Mukhtar-takes-over-as-Commander-Karachi | access-date=13 December 2024}} COMKAR is typically held by a three star vice admiral, depending on professional experience in command and control. The appointment is made by the Navy; however, since the navy operates under the chief of the Naval Staff, officers are typically appointed by the naval chief.{{cite web | title=3 rear admirals promoted | website=The Nation | date=15 February 2012 | url=https://www.nation.com.pk/15-Feb-2012/3-rear-admirals-promoted | access-date=13 December 2024}}
= Appointment style =
The change of command, a formal military tradition, for the Commander Karachi (COMKAR) is held at the naval headquarter, Karachi. During the event, a guard of honor is presented, and the departing commander formally hands over the scroll of command to the newly appointed officer, suggesting the transfer of formal responsibilities.{{cite web | title=Rear Admiral Hussaini assumes responsibility of Commander Karachi | website=Aaj English TV | date=14 August 2014 | url=https://english.aaj.tv/news/10271286/rear-admiral-hussaini-assumes-responsibility-of-commander-karachi | access-date=13 December 2024}}{{cite web | title=Rear Admiral M Saleem takes over as Commander Karachi | website=The Nation | date=4 March 2023 | url=https://www.nation.com.pk/04-Mar-2023/rear-admiral-m-saleem-takes-over-as-commander-karachi | access-date=13 December 2024}}
List of commanders
{{incomplete list|date=December 2024}}
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| rowspan=2|{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!colspan=2|Commander !colspan=4|Term |
|---|
| Portrait
!Name !Took office !Left office !Term length ! scope="col"class="unsortable" |{{Abbr|Ref(s)|References}} |
| colspan=7 | Commanding officer, Karachi Command
{{Officeholder table | order = 1 | military_rank = Vice admiral | image = | officeholder = Irfan Ahmed | officeholder_sort = Qureshi, Asad | born_year = | died_year = | term_start = 10 December 2002 | term_end = 27 January 2004 | timeinoffice = {{ayd|10 December 2002|January 27, 2004}} | ref = {{cite web | url=https://www.dawn.com/news/71751/karachi-commander-karachi-takes-charge | title=KARACHI: Commander Karachi takes charge | date=11 December 2002 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/3008317/asad-qureshi-made-karachi-pn-commander-20040127194943 | title=Asad Qureshi made Karachi PN Commander | date=27 January 2004 }} }} {{Officeholder table | order = 2 | military_rank = Vice admiral | image = | officeholder = Asad Qureshi | officeholder_sort = Qureshi, Asad | born_year = | died_year = | term_start = 27 January 2004 | term_end = 14 January 2006 | timeinoffice = {{ayd|27 January 2004|January 14, 2006}} | ref ={{cite web | url=https://www.dawn.com/news/173952/karachi-new-comkar-takes-charge | title=KARACHI: New Comkar takes charge | date=14 January 2006 }} }} {{Officeholder table | order = 3 | military_rank = Vice admiral | image = | officeholder = Sikandar Viqar Naqvi | officeholder_sort = Naqvi, Sikandar Viqar | born_year = | died_year = | term_start = 13 January 2006 | term_end = 9 May 2007 | timeinoffice = {{ayd|13 January 2006|May 8, 2007}} | ref ={{cite web | title=KARACHI: New Comkar takes charge | website=DAWN.COM | date=14 January 2006 | url=https://www.dawn.com/news/173952/karachi-new-comkar-takes-charge | access-date=14 December 2024}}{{cite web | title=KARACHI: New Comkar takes over | website=DAWN.COM | date=9 May 2007 | url=https://www.dawn.com/news/246070/karachi-new-comkar-takes-over | access-date=14 December 2024}} }} {{Officeholder table | order = 4 | military_rank = Vice admiral | image = | officeholder = Bakhtiar Mohsin | officeholder_sort = Mohsin, Bakhtiar | born_year = | died_year = | term_start = 8 May 2007 | term_end = 21 June 2008 | timeinoffice = {{ayd|9 May 2007|June 21, 2008}} | ref = {{cite web | url=https://www.dawn.com/news/246070/karachi-new-comkar-takes-over | title=KARACHI: New Comkar takes over |website= Dawn News | date=9 May 2007 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.dawn.com/news/414029/new-commander-karachi-appointed | title=New commander Karachi appointed |website= Dawn News | date=21 June 2008 }} }} {{Officeholder table | order = 5 | military_rank = Vice admiral | image = Noman Bashir 2010.jpg | officeholder = Noman Bashir | officeholder_sort = Bashir, Noman | born_year = | died_year = | term_start = 21 June 2008 | term_end = 6 October 2008 | timeinoffice = {{ayd|21 June 2008|October 6, 2008}} | ref = {{cite web | url=https://www.dawn.com/news/422394/www.tupernic.com | title=Noman Bashir appointed Naval Chief | date=6 October 2008 }} }} {{Officeholder table | order = 6 | military_rank = Vice admiral | image = | officeholder = Asif Khaliq | officeholder_sort = Khaliq, Asif | born_year = | died_year = | term_start = 7 May 2018 | term_end = 10 May 2019 | timeinoffice = {{ayd|7 May 2018|May 10, 2019}} | ref = {{cite web | title=Rear Admiral Asif Khaliq takes over as Commander Karachi | website=The News International | date=7 May 2018 | url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/313815-rear-admiral-asif-khaliq-takes-over-as-commander-karachi | access-date=14 December 2024}}{{cite web | title=Vice Admiral Amjad Niazi takes over as Commander Karachi, Vice Admiral Asif Khaliq as Commander Pakistan Fleet | website=The News International | date=10 May 2019 | url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/469517-vice-admiral-amjad-niazi-takes-over-as-commander-karachi-vice-admiral-asif-khaliq-as-commander-pakistan-fleet | access-date=14 December 2024}} }} {{Officeholder table | order = 7 | military_rank = Vice admiral | image = | officeholder = Faisal Rasul Lodhi | officeholder_sort = Lodhi, Faisal Rasul | born_year = | died_year = | term_start = 20 October 2020 | term_end = 4 September 2021 | timeinoffice = {{ayd|20 October 2020|September 4, 2021}} | ref = {{cite web | url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40027414 | title=New commanders of PN COMKAR, COMCOAST assume charge | work=Brecorder | date=20 October 2020 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40117921 | title=Vice Admiral Faisal Rasul Lodhi appointed VCNS | date=4 September 2021 }} }} {{Officeholder table | order = 8 | military_rank = Vice admiral | image = | officeholder = Mian Zakirullah Jan | officeholder_sort = Jan, Mian Zakirullah | born_year = | died_year = | term_start = 25 October 2021 | term_end = 4 March 2023 | timeinoffice = {{ayd|25 October 2021|March 4, 2023}} | ref = {{cite web | title=New Comkar takes charge | website=DAWN.COM | date=4 March 2023 | url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1740253 | access-date=13 December 2024}}{{cite web | title=Rear Admiral Mian Zakirullah Jan takes over as Commander Karachi | website=Associated Press of Pakistan | date=25 October 2021 | url=https://www.app.com.pk/domestic/rear-admiral-mian-zakirullah-jan-takes-over-as-commander-karachi/ | access-date=13 December 2024}} }} {{Officeholder table | order = 9 | military_rank = Vice admiral | image = | officeholder = Muhammad Saleem | officeholder_sort = Saleem, Muhammad | born_year = | died_year = | term_start = 3 March 2023 | term_end = 12 October 2024 | timeinoffice = {{ayd|3 March 2023|October 12, 2024}} | ref = {{cite web | title=Rear Admiral Muhammad Saleem takes over as Commander Karachi | website=Associated Press of Pakistan | date=3 March 2023 | url=https://www.app.com.pk/national/rear-admiral-muhammad-saleem-takes-over-as-commander-karachi/ | access-date=13 December 2024}} }} {{Officeholder table | order = 10 | military_rank = Vice admiral | image = Vice Admiral Muhammad Faisal Abbasi HI(M).jpg|bSize = 100|cWidth = 100|cHeight = 100%|oTop = 0|oLeft = 0 | officeholder = Muhammad Faisal Abbasi | officeholder_sort = Abbasi, Muhammad Faisal | born_year = | died_year = | term_start = 24 October 2024 | timeinoffice = {{ayd|24 October 2024}} }} |