ISLAMABAD – Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Asif Sandila called on President Asif Ali Zardari and discussed matters relating to the Pakistan Navy at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, a press release said on Wednesday. President Zardari felicitated Admiral Sandila on his promotion and appointment as the naval chief, and expressed the hope that during his tenure, Pakistan Navy would be further strengthened and would greatly benefit from his leadership qualities.
On the other hand, outgoing naval chief Admiral Nauman Bashir paid a farewell call on Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani at the PM House, and apprised him about the welfare projects completed during his tenure and developments regarding training and education of the navy personnel. The welfare projects include construction and handing over of houses for retired CPOs and sailors, construction of residential estate at Younusabad in Karachi for serving sailors, induction of women officers and sailors in Pakistan Navy, he said. The prime minister appreciated contributions by the outgoing naval chief for uplifting the training and living standards of PN sailors through housing schemes. He also applauded the role being played by the Pakistan Navy in relief, rescue and rehabilitation of flood affected people in lower Sindh and other nation-building efforts undertaken during earlier calamities and natural disasters. – Pakistantoday