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Commander Karachi

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Commander Karachi
Insignia of COMKAR
Flag of a Pakistan Navy three-star vice admiral
since 12 October 2024
TypeCommand-in-field
StatusActive
AbbreviationCOMKAR
Reports toVice Chief of the Naval Staff
ResidenceKarachi Cantonment, Pakistan
SeatHQ Comkar, Karachi, Pakistan
AppointerChief of the Naval Staff
Term lengthIndeterminate
PrecursorChiefs of Staff (departmental)

The Commander Karachi (COMKAR)[a] 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.[1] 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).[2] The current commander of the Karachi Command is vice admiral Muhammad Faisal Abbasi who assumed the role on 12 October 2024.[3]

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.[4][5]

Role and responsibilities

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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.[6]

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.[7][8]

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.[7] and the PNS Submarine Training Centre, a specialized training program.[8]

Appointment

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As suggested by the sources such as Business Recorder,[1] Dawn[9] and Geo News,[10] 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.[11]

Appointment style

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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.[12][13]

List of commanders

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No. Commander Term
Portrait Name Took office Left office Term length Ref(s)
Commanding officer, Karachi Command
1
Irfan Ahmed
Qureshi, AsadVice admiral
Irfan Ahmed		10 December 200227 January 20041 year, 48 days[14][15]
2
Asad Qureshi
Qureshi, AsadVice admiral
Asad Qureshi		27 January 200414 January 20061 year, 352 days[15][16]
3
Sikandar Viqar Naqvi
Naqvi, Sikandar ViqarVice admiral
Sikandar Viqar Naqvi		13 January 20069 May 20071 year, 115 days[17][18]
4
Bakhtiar Mohsin
Mohsin, BakhtiarVice admiral
Bakhtiar Mohsin		8 May 200721 June 20081 year, 43 days[19][20]
5
Noman Bashir
Bashir, NomanVice admiral
Noman Bashir		21 June 20086 October 2008107 days[20][21]
6
Asif Khaliq
Khaliq, AsifVice admiral
Asif Khaliq		7 May 201810 May 20191 year, 3 days[22][23]
7
Faisal Rasul Lodhi
Lodhi, Faisal RasulVice admiral
Faisal Rasul Lodhi		20 October 20204 September 2021319 days[24][25]
8
Mian Zakirullah Jan
Jan, Mian ZakirullahVice admiral
Mian Zakirullah Jan		25 October 20214 March 20231 year, 130 days[26][27]
9
Muhammad Saleem
Saleem, MuhammadVice admiral
Muhammad Saleem		3 March 202312 October 20241 year, 223 days[28][3]
10
Muhammad Faisal Abbasi
Abbasi, Muhammad FaisalVice admiral
Muhammad Faisal Abbasi		24 October 2024Incumbent55 days[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b "New commanders of PN COMKAR, COMCOAST assume charge". Brecorder. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  2. ^ "Admin Authorities". Pakistan Navy Official Website. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "Vice Admiral Faisal Abbasi, Rear Admiral Abdul Munib take over as Commander Karachi, Commander Pakistan fleet". The Nation. 12 October 2024. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  4. ^ "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". Internet Archive. 1 March 2001. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  5. ^ Waters, C. (2011). Seaforth World Naval Review 2012. Pen & Sword Books. p. 209. ISBN 978-1-78383-098-5. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  6. ^ "PN Organization". Pakistan Navy Official Website. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Training Establishments: L M School". Pakistan Navy Official Website. 14 August 1995. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Field Command: COMKAR". Pakistan Navy Official Website. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  9. ^ "New Comkar takes charge". DAWN.COM. 26 October 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  10. ^ "Rear Admiral Ather Mukhtar takes over as Commander Karachi". Geo.tv. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  11. ^ "3 rear admirals promoted". The Nation. 15 February 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  12. ^ "Rear Admiral Hussaini assumes responsibility of Commander Karachi". Aaj English TV. 14 August 2014. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  13. ^ "Rear Admiral M Saleem takes over as Commander Karachi". The Nation. 4 March 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  14. ^ "KARACHI: Commander Karachi takes charge". 11 December 2002.
  15. ^ a b "Asad Qureshi made Karachi PN Commander". 27 January 2004.
  16. ^ "KARACHI: New Comkar takes charge". 14 January 2006.
  17. ^ "KARACHI: New Comkar takes charge". DAWN.COM. 14 January 2006. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  18. ^ "KARACHI: New Comkar takes over". DAWN.COM. 9 May 2007. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  19. ^ "KARACHI: New Comkar takes over". Dawn News. 9 May 2007.
  20. ^ a b "New commander Karachi appointed". Dawn News. 21 June 2008.
  21. ^ "Noman Bashir appointed Naval Chief". 6 October 2008.
  22. ^ "Rear Admiral Asif Khaliq takes over as Commander Karachi". The News International. 7 May 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  23. ^ "Vice Admiral Amjad Niazi takes over as Commander Karachi, Vice Admiral Asif Khaliq as Commander Pakistan Fleet". The News International. 10 May 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  24. ^ "New commanders of PN COMKAR, COMCOAST assume charge". 20 October 2020.
  25. ^ "Vice Admiral Faisal Rasul Lodhi appointed VCNS". 4 September 2021.
  26. ^ "New Comkar takes charge". DAWN.COM. 4 March 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  27. ^ "Rear Admiral Mian Zakirullah Jan takes over as Commander Karachi". Associated Press of Pakistan. 25 October 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  28. ^ "Rear Admiral Muhammad Saleem takes over as Commander Karachi". Associated Press of Pakistan. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  1. ^ Urdu: کمانڈر کراچی, Urdu pronunciation: [kəˈmɑːn.d̪ər kəˈraː.tʃiː]; Pronounced in English as /kəˈmændərkəˈrætʃi/ and /kəˈmɑːndərkəˈrɑːtʃi/.
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