Karachi: Rear Admiral Asif Khaliq has assumed the responsibilities as Commander Karachi. Rear Admiral Ather Mukhtar handed over the command to newly appointed commander Karachi in an impressive ceremony held at PNS BAHADUR today.

Upon assumption of command, Rear Admiral Asif Khaliq is now commander of all training units of Pakistan Navy at Karachi.

Rear Admiral Asif Khaliq joined Pakistan Navy in 1983 and was commissioned in Operations Branch in 1985. He has a distinguished career with wide ranging command and staff experience. His major Command appointments include Commanding Officer PNS BABUR, PNS KHAIBAR and Commander 18th Destroyer Squadron.

He has also commanded Combined Task Force -150. His distinguished staff appointments include Deputy Director Naval Warfare and Operational Plans at NHQ, Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Plans), Principle Secretary to Chief of the Naval Staff at NHQ, Commandant PNS BAHADUR and Director General Naval Intelligence.

Before assuming command as Commander Karachi, the Admiral was serving at Naval Headquarters as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Admin).

Rear Admiral Khaliq has also served as Army Naval Attaché of Pakistan in Paris. He is a graduate of Pakistan Navy War College and National Defence University, Islamabad.

The Admiral has been awarded Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) by Government of Pakistan and National Order of Merit by Government of France.

During the change of command ceremony, the Admiral was presented Guard of Honour and was introduced to the commanding officers of units under COMKAR Command.

The ceremony was attended by a large number of Pakistan Navy officers, CPOs/sailors and Navy civilians.