Commander Karachi

Commander Karachi
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Insignia of COMKAR
File:Pakistan Navy Vice Admiral.svg Flag of a Pakistan Navy three-star vice admiral
File:Vice Admiral Muhammad Faisal Abbasi HI(M).jpg Incumbent Muhammad Faisal Abbasi since 12 October 2024
Type	Command-in-field
Status	Active
Abbreviation	COMKAR
Reports to	Vice Chief of the Naval Staff
Residence	Karachi Cantonment, Pakistan
Seat	HQ Comkar, Karachi, Pakistan
Appointer	Chief of the Naval Staff
Term length	Indeterminate
Precursor	Chiefs of Staff (departmental)

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

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.

Role and responsibilities

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.

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.

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. and the PNS Submarine Training Centre, a specialized training program.

Appointment

As suggested by the sources such as Business Recorder, Dawn and Geo News, 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.

Appointment style

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.

List of commanders

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 2002	27 January 2004	1 year, 48 days
2	Asad Qureshi	Qureshi, AsadVice admiral Asad Qureshi	27 January 2004	14 January 2006	1 year, 352 days
3	Sikandar Viqar Naqvi	Naqvi, Sikandar ViqarVice admiral Sikandar Viqar Naqvi	13 January 2006	9 May 2007	1 year, 115 days
4	Bakhtiar Mohsin	Mohsin, BakhtiarVice admiral Bakhtiar Mohsin	8 May 2007	21 June 2008	1 year, 43 days
5	Noman Bashir	Bashir, NomanVice admiral Noman Bashir	21 June 2008	6 October 2008	107 days
6	Asif Khaliq	Khaliq, AsifVice admiral Asif Khaliq	7 May 2018	10 May 2019	1 year, 3 days
7	Faisal Rasul Lodhi	Lodhi, Faisal RasulVice admiral Faisal Rasul Lodhi	20 October 2020	4 September 2021	319 days
8	Mian Zakirullah Jan	Jan, Mian ZakirullahVice admiral Mian Zakirullah Jan	25 October 2021	4 March 2023	1 year, 130 days
9	Muhammad Saleem	Saleem, MuhammadVice admiral Muhammad Saleem	3 March 2023	12 October 2024	1 year, 223 days
10	Muhammad Faisal Abbasi	Abbasi, Muhammad FaisalVice admiral Muhammad Faisal Abbasi	24 October 2024	Incumbent	1 year, 209 days