Muhammad Zakaullah was born on 10th January 1958 in Lyallpur (now Faisalabad). After graduating from the Cadet College Hasan Abdal, he joined the Pakistan Navy in 1975 where he was sent to join the Pakistan Naval Academy, graduating at top of his class and conferred with coveted Sword of Honour and awarded the chief of the naval staff gold medal at his graduation. Sub-Lieutenant Zakaullah gained commissioned in the Operations Branch and was sent to the United Kingdom for his training and education later his career.
He attended and did his military training from the Royal Naval Staff College, and later attended London University where he gained MA in Defence studies. He also attended and graduated from Quaid-e-Azam University, having attained an MSc in War Studies. Upon returning to Pakistan, he joined the faculty of the National Defence University to teach war studies.
Zakaullah qualified as a surface officer from the United Kingdom, serving first in 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.
MUHAMMAD ZAKAULLAH
Born on 10th January 1958
Pakistani Yatchman
From 1999 until 2003, he was tenured as the Director-General of the National Accountability Bureau during the regime of Gen. Pervez Musharraf, 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 brief of time. Rear-Admiral Zakaullah also commanded the CTF–150 in the Arabian Sea to guard off operations on Somalian piracy.
At the Navy NHQ, he was appointed as ACNS (Plans), DCNS (Training and Personnel), and DCNS (Operation). His last war assignment included command of the Pakistan Fleet as its senior commander.
On 2nd October 2014, he was appointed as the new Chief of the Naval Staff with immediate effect after President Mamnoon Hussain gave the approval for his appointment and promotion to the rank of Admiral. He was serving as the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff by then.
He was also a keen yachtsman and has represented Pakistan at numerous International events.
In 1983, he won the National Yachting Championship held at Karachi along with Lt. Tariq Waheed. The same year, he also participated in the 2nd Asian Regatta held at Beppu (Japan), Pakistan team won the Bronze Medal. In all 69 yachtsmen from South Korea, China, Singapore, Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Thailand and Japan took part in the championship.
In 1984, he went to the USA with the Pakistan team to participate in the Los Angeles Olympics. In 470 Class, the Pakistani pair of Zakaullah and Munir Sadiq finished 22nd out of 28 teams. The yachtsmen, after elaborate training in the United States for more than a month before the start of the Olympics, did not really create a sensation because it would have been too much of them on their maiden appearance.
In 1985, he took part in the Asian Yachting Regatta held in Seoul (South Korea), wherein 470 Class, Pakistani pair of Zakaullah and Munir Sadiq finished 6th out of 13 teams. A 10-member Pakistan team took part in this championship but failed to win any honour.
In 1986, he accompanied the Pakistan team to take part in the Asian Games held in Seoul (South Korea). In Enterprise Class, he along with Munir Sadiq won the Gold Medal. The same year in the National Yachting Championship held at PN Aquatic Club in Karachi, the similar pair also won Two Gold Medals in Enterprise Class and 470 Class. The same pair also participated in the Enterprise World Championship held at Looe (England), where they finished 25th out of 170 competitors.
In 1987, he took part in the Olympics Practice Regatta held at Pusan (South Korea) in which a total of 260 Yachtsmen from 28 countries participated in 6 different Classes of boats. Pakistan entered two sets of pairs in the 470 class only. He along with Munir Sadiq finished 28th out of 32 competitors.
In 1988, he along with Raja Javed won the Gold Medal in Enterprise Class during the National Yachting Championship held at Karachi.
In 1989, he along with Munir Sadiq won the Enterprise National Championship held at PN Aquatic Club at PN Dockyard in Karachi.
In 1990, he accompanied the Pakistan team to take part in the Asian Games held in Beijing (China) where the Pakistani pair Zakaullah and Munir Sadiq won the Gold Medal in the Enterprise Class and thus retained the Gold Medal for the consecutive Asian Games since 1978.
In recognition of his services, he was awarded President’s Award for Pride of Performance, and the President’s Medal for his outstanding performance in yachting. He is also the recipient of Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Military), Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military) and Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military).
