Rear Admiral Khan Hashim takes over PN Fleet Command

KARACHI: Rear Admiral Khan Hasham Bin Saddique has assumed the office of Commander Pakistan Fleet, today. On command’s assumption, he is now the operational in charge of all PN ships, submarines, missile boats and aviation units.

Hasham joined Pakistan Navy in 1978 and was commissioned in 1980. He has a distinguished career with wide ranging command and staff experience. He has commanded Pakistan Navy Ship Shahjahan, PNS Bahadur, Pakistan Naval Academy, Pakistan Navy War College and Maritime Operations Training Complex. He has also been the Commandant National Security College (NDU) Islamabad.

During his service Rear Admiral Khan Hisham also served as the Squadron Operations Officer of 25th Destroyer squadron, Executive officer Pakistan Navy Ship Badr, Chief Staff Officer to Commander Pakistan Fleet, ACNS (Plans) and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Admin).

He also held the command of Multinational Maritime Task Force (CTF 150) at HQ NAVCENT Bahrain. Before assuming the appointment of Commander Pakistan Fleet the Admiral was serving as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Operations) at Naval Headquarters.

The officer undertook initial training at Britannia Royal Naval College UK and won the Sword of Honour as best all round graduate. He did his Masters in Joint warfare and war studies and MSc in Operations Research. He also attended many professional courses, including Surface Warfare Course, Long Communication Course, Joint Services Staff Course and Armed Forces War Course. Rear Admiral Hasham received Sitara-e-Imtiaz Military as recognition of his services.

The change of command ceremony was held at Dockyard, where Vice Admiral Zakaullah handed the command to newly appointed commander. Rear Admiral Hasham Bin Saddique received the guard of honour and was introduced to other officers of the command.

The ceremony was attended by a large number of Pakistan Navy officers and sailors.

Pakistan navy and Saudi Navy Naseem Al Bahr X

 The current commander of the RSNF, Vice Admiral Dakheel-Allah Bin Ahmad Bin Mohammad Al-Wakadani, is also a graduate of Pakistan Naval Academy and reserves a special place for his alma mater.

The RSNF has now come of age and taken its rightful place in guarding the maritime interests of KSA. Despite its exposure to naval exercises with the most advanced navies of the world, the RSNF holds PN in high esteem. Naseem Al Bahar (NAB) is a biennial exercise, which was evolved as manifestation of the unique Pak-Saudi interpersonal relationship and mutual resolve to enhance bilateral cooperation in facing the common challenges.

Scheduled from January 12 to 22, 2013, the joint exercise is not merely based on physical manoeuvres of various surface, aerial and sub-surface naval platforms, but involve the entire gamut of maritime operations; planning, executing and drawing lessons from NAB-X