Chief of Naval Staff (Pakistan)

The Chief of the Naval Staff, abbreviated as CNS, is the highest-ranking officer in the Pakistani Navy unless a 4-star naval officer is appointed as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. The current Chief of the Naval Staff is Admiral Asif Sandila who commands the Navy. The CNS reports to the President of Pakistan, as the President is the head of the state. The CNS is responsible for the command of the Navy, utilization of resources, and operations of the Navy and for naval shore activities.

The CNS is the naval advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan and President of Pakistan and advises the civilian leadership on matters of naval operations and the conduct of naval warfare. The Chief of the Naval Staff is appointed by the President after consultation with the Prime Minister. A requirement for being Chief of the Naval Staff is having significant experience in joint duty assignments, which includes at least one full tour of duty in a joint duty assignment as a flag officer. By statue, the CNS is a 4-star Admiral and serves as a principal member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee.

List of Past Chiefs of the Naval Staff
The following is a list of Admirals who have served as the either Commander-in-Chief or the Chief of the Naval Staff of the Pakistan Navy.