Zahid Ilyas

Vice Admiral (R) Zahid Ilyas is a Retired Three Star Admiral and a flag officer from the Pakistan Navy. His Last appointment was of Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Training and Personnel), DCNS-T&P at Naval Headquarters in Islamabad, he took the office as Head of Trainning and Personnel branch of Pakistan Navy. Prior to assuming Special Service Group in 2021 his previous assignments include commanding officer PNS Babur and PNS Zulfiquar. He was also appointed to Pakistan Naval Academy as a commanding officer.

Zahid Ilyas
Allegiance	Pakistan
Service / branch	Pakistan Navy
Years of service	1984–2023
Rank	, Vice admiral
Commands	Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, Operations COMCOAST Commander Karachi Coast(COMKAR) Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, Training & Evaluation Director General C4I Principal Secretary Chief of Naval Staff Directing Staff at PN War College Commander Central Punjab/CommandantNaval War College Pakistan Naval Academy Combined Task Force 151 18th Destroyer Squadron
Awards	Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military) Sitara-e-Basalat
Alma mater	Pakistan Naval War College National Defence University

He graduated from the Pakistan Naval War College and the National Defence University besides obtaining a master's degree in military operational research from the UK and naval command course from China.^[1]

Career

He joined the Pakistan Navy in 1984 and got commissioned in Operations branch in 1988.^[2] He served at various posts and units throughout his career such as commander of the 18th destroyer squadron and Combined Task Force 151 for Pakistan headquartered in Bahrain. At staff assignments, his was appointed as principal secretary to Chief of Naval Staff, Director General C4I and Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, Training & Evaluation in Islamabad.^[3] During his career, he also served as director general at Joint Cantonment Gwadar Branch in Rawalpindi.^[1]

Effective dates of promotion

Insignia	Rank	Date
	Vice Admiral	February 2020
	Rear Admiral	March 2016
	Commodore	September 2013
	Captain	May 2009
	Commander	September 2004
	Lieutenant commander	May 1998
	Lieutenant	June 1991
	Sub Lieutenant	April 1989
	Midshipman	April 1988

References

1. "New Comkar, Comcoast take charge". DAWN.COM. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
2. "Rear Admiral Zahid Ilyas takes over as commander Karachi - Karachi". The News International. 14 November 2019. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
3. "Vice Admiral Zahid Ilyas takes over as Commander Coast". The Nation. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2021.