# Muhammad Zakaullah

Muhammad Zakaullah NI(M) HI(M) SI(M) PP TI(M) LoM PGAT (Urdu: محمد ذكاءالله ; born 10 January 1958) is a retired admiral in the Pakistan Navy, who was the 20th Chief of Naval Staff of the Pakistan Navy. He was succeeded by Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi.
He is noted for his sportsmanship, having represented Pakistan at the Olympics for a sailing class category and being a gold medallist at the 1990 Asian Games, for which he is a recipient of a national honor.
As naval chief, Admiral Zakaullah is noted for revolutionizing the role of the navy, emphasizing the role of the navy in economic corridor with China and took initiatives to strengthened ties with the Turkish Navy. He also played an active role in establishing the very low frequency facility to provide communications with the submarines as well as ensuring the second-strike capability by commissioning the cruise missile system in the strategic command of the Navy.

## Biography
### Early life and career in Navy

Muhammad Zakaullah was born in Lyalpur (now Faisalabad) in Punjab, Pakistan on 10 January 1958 to a Jat family. After graduating from Cadet College Hasan Abdal, he joined the Pakistan Navy in 1975 where he was sent to join the Pakistan Naval Academy, graduating at the top of his class, he was conferred with the coveted Sword of Honour and awarded the chief of the naval staff gold medal at his graduation. Sub-Lieutenant Zakaullah gained commission in the Operations Branch, and was sent to United Kingdom for his training and education later in his career.
He did his military training from the Royal Naval Staff College, and later attended the London University where he gained MA in Defence studies. He also attended and graduated from the Quaid-e-Azam University, having attained an MSc in War Studies.
Upon returning to Pakistan, he joined the faculty of National Defence University to teach war studies.

### War and staff appointments

Zakaullah qualified as a surface officer from the United Kingdom, serving first on the Babur which he later commanded as Commander. He also served as a military attaché at the Pakistan Embassy, Doha in Qatar. Captain Zakaullah served as the Directing Staff at the Pakistan Naval War College before taken as secondment by the President Musharraf.
From 1999 till 2003, Commodore Zakaullah served as the Director-General of the National Accountability Bureau, before taking over the command of the 25th Destroyer Squadron. His other command appointments included his role as Chief Inspector of Naval Police and military secretary to Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz for a short period of time. Rear-Admiral Zakaullah also commanded the CTF–150 in Arabian Sea to guard off operations on Somalian piracy.
At the Naval Headquarters, he was appointed as ACNS (Plans), DCNS (Training and Personnel), and DCNS (Operation).
Vice-Admiral Zakaullah's last war assignment included command of the Pakistan Fleet as its senior commander.
At the height of border escalation with India, he reportedly responded to the media that Pakistan had the ability to respond to any disturbance of border.
In an emergency address to the media representatives at the ISPR directorate, he quoted to the media that "Pakistan forces are prepared for any critical situation." Answering the question of Indian Army's capabilities, Admiral Zakaullah said that Pakistan was not concerned by New Delhi's ground capability as it had the ability to defend itself against any aggression.

## Chief of Naval Staff

In 2014, Vice-Admiral Zakuallah was promoted to four-star rank admiral. He became the first naval chief in the history of Pakistan who was a Sword of Honour recipient.

## Sportsmanship

He is a keen yachtsman and has represented Pakistan at numerous international sailing events, including at the 1984 Summer Olympics and the 1986 and 1990 Asian Games . He won a gold medal each at the two editions of Asian Games. He is also a recipient of President's Award for Pride of Performance for outstanding performance in yachting.

## Awards and decorations

Pakistan Navy Operations Branch Badge :
| Command at Sea insignia ||||
| Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) (Order of Excellence) | Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) (Order of Excellence) | Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) (Crescent of Excellence) | Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) (Crescent of Excellence) |
| Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military) (Star of Excellence) | President's Award for Pride of Performance (Sailing - 1987) | Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Military) (Medal of Excellence) | Tamgha-e-Baqa (Nuclear Test Medal) 1998 |
| Tamgha-e-Istaqlal Pakistan (Escalation with India Medal) 2002 | 10 Years Service Medal | 20 Years Service Medal | 30 Years Service Medal |
| 35 Years Service Medal | 40 Years Service Medal | Tamgha-e-Sad Saala Jashan-e- Wiladat-e-Quaid-e-Azam (100th Birth Anniversary of Muhammad Ali Jinnah) 1976 | Hijri Tamgha (Hijri Medal) 1979 |
| Jamhuriat Tamgha (Democracy Medal) 1988 | Qarardad-e-Pakistan Tamgha (Resolution Day Golden Jubilee Medal) 1990 | Tamgha-e-Salgirah Pakistan (Independence Day Golden Jubilee Medal) 1997 | Turkish Legion of Merit (Turkey) |
| CISM Medal of Merit - Officer 2016 | The Legion of Merit (Degree of Commander) (USA) 2016 | Order of King Abdul Aziz (1st Class) (Saudi Arabia) 2017 | The Order of Military Service (Malaysia) 2017 |

### Foreign Decorations

Foreign Awards :
| Turkey | The Legion of Merit Turkey |
| | CISM Medal of Merit - Officer |
| USA | The Legion of Merit (Degree of Commander) |
| Saudi Arabia | Order of King Abdulaziz al Saud |
| Malaysia | The Order of Military Service - Courageous Commander |