ISLAMABAD - President Asif Ali Zardari has appointed Vice Admiral Noman Bashir HI (M) as Chief of the Naval Staff and promoted him to the rank of Admiral. Well-placed sources told TheNation on Sunday that President had chosen Vice Admiral Noman Bashir as Flag Officer from the list of three vice admirals purely on merit. With brilliant career, Admiral Noman Bashir, brother of the incumbent Foreign Secretary, Salman Bashir, will succeed Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir, who will relinquish the command of Pakistan Navy after completion of his tenure. According to Pakistan Navy press release, his promotion to the rank of Admiral will be effective from the date of taking over on October 7 at the change of command ceremony, scheduled at PNS Zafar Ground, Naval Complex, E-8 Islamabad. The Vice Admiral Noman Bashir HI (M) was commissioned in operations branch of Pakistan Navy in June 1973. He has had the privilege to command two aviation squadrons, two ships (frigate and corvette) and the Naval Aviation. He has also had the coveted honour of commanding Pakistan fleet. He has served on staff appointment at NHQ as Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Operations), Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Training), Director Naval Intelligence and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Projects). He has also served as Commodore Training Ashore, Senior Pakistan Armed Forces Officer in the Sultanate of Oman and did tenure in KPT as General Manager (Operations). The Flag Officer is a graduate of Joint Services Staff College, Armed Forces War College at National Defence University and Royal College of Defence Studies UK. Before being appointed as the Chief of the Naval Staff, the Admiral was serving as Commander Karachi. The Flag Officer is married and blessed with two sons. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has felicitated Admiral Nauman Bashir on his appointment as Chief of the Naval Staff. The Prime Minister in a message of felicitation said that the task before the new Chief of the Naval Staff is full of challenges due to ever-changing geo-strategic and regional environment in the world around Pakistan. He expressed the confidence that under the leadership of Admiral Nauman Bashir Pakistan Navy would be further strengthened in protecting the sea-lanes and routes besides the coastline of the country. Agencies add: This is President Zardari's first appointment made in the armed forces since he was elected to the top constitutional post last month. Bashir will take over as the navy chief when incumbent Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir retires on October 7 after completing three years in the post. Bashir's appointment was approved during a meeting between Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani on Sunday.