Pakistan’s new naval chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf takes charge

In this handout photograph, taken and released by the Pakistan Navy, the outgoing Pakistan Navy chief Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi (left) handing over command of the Pakistan Navy to Admiral Naveed Ashraf (right) during the change of command ceremony at the PNS Zafar in Islamabad on October 7, 2023. (Photo courtesy: Pakistan Navy)
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Updated 07 October 2023
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Pakistan’s new naval chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf takes charge

  • Admiral Naveed Ashraf takes charge of country’s naval forces during televised change of guard ceremony
  • Prior to his appointment, Admiral Ashraf was serving as chief of staff at Pakistan’s Naval Headquarters

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s new navy chief, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, took charge of the country’s naval force on Saturday after a change of command ceremony was held at the PNS Zafar in the capital city.
Pakistan Navy announced Ashraf’s appointment on Tuesday as the country’s 23rd naval chief, saying that he would be promoted to the rank of admiral on Saturday. During the televised change of command ceremony, outgoing Pakistan Navy chief Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi handed over the reins of the navy to his successor and wished him luck.
“As I hand over the command of the navy to Admiral Ashraf, I wish him the best of luck and a rewarding tenure in office,” Niazi said during his farewell address.
“The admiral has a distinguished career, studded with notable achievements and I am sure he would prove to be an able and worthy successor who will lead the navy to new heights, God willing.”
Niazi said Pakistan’s navy stands as a “vital arm” of the country’s armed forces, adding that it has also emerged as an effective contributor toward the socio-economic uplift of the country nationally and internationally.
Ashraf was commissioned in the Operations Branch of the Pakistan Navy in 1989. He is a graduate of the National Defense University in Islamabad, the US Naval War College, and the UK’s Royal College of Defense Studies.
According to Radio Pakistan, Ashraf has “vast experience” of working in key command and staff positions and before his appointment as navy chief, was serving as chief of staff at the Naval Headquarters.
Ashraf has been awarded prestigious Pakistani medals Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Tamgha-i-Basalat for his professional services and courage.
 


Turkish agents capture senior Daesh member on Afghanistan-Pakistan border

Updated 22 December 2025
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Turkish agents capture senior Daesh member on Afghanistan-Pakistan border

  • The Turkish citizen was allegedly tasked with suicide bombings in Turkiye, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Europe
  • It was not clear when the operation took place or whether Afghan and Pakistani authorities were involved

ANKARA: Turkish intelligence agents have captured a senior member of the Daesh (Islamic State) group in an area along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, allegedly thwarting planned suicide attacks in Turkiye and elsewhere, Turkiye’s state-run news agency reported Monday.

Anadolu Agency said the suspect was identified as Mehmet Goren and a member of the group’s Afghanistan-based Daesh-Khorasan (IS-K) branch. He was caught in a covert operation and transferred to Turkiye.

It was not clear when the operation took place or whether Afghan and Pakistani authorities were involved.

The report said the Turkish citizen allegedly rose within the organization’s ranks and was given the task of carrying out suicide bombings in Turkiye, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Europe.

Daesh has carried out deadly attacks in Turkiye, including a shooting at an Istanbul night club on Jan. 1, 2017, which killed 39 people.

Monday’s report said Goren’s capture allegedly also exposed the group’s recruitment methods and provided intelligence on its planned activities.