Navy League Celebrates Birthdays of Two Distinguished Naval Veterans

The Navy League celebrated the 94th birthday of Commander Bazl Ahmed Khan PN (Retd) and the 82nd birthday of Rear Admiral Jamil Akhter PN (Retd) on 29 July 2026. The celebration formed part of the Navy League’s valued tradition of honouring veteran members who have crossed 80 years of age. This tradition reflects the League’s respect for its senior members and recognises their lifelong service, experience and contribution to the Pakistan Navy.

The event was attended by senior and junior naval veterans, who gathered to extend their warm greetings and best wishes to both distinguished officers. The presence of different generations of veterans added special significance to the occasion and reflected the strong bonds of fellowship within the Navy League.

Commander Bazl Ahmed Khan PN (Retd), the senior-most member of the Navy League, belongs to the pioneering generation of Pakistan Navy officers. He received his initial naval training at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, and later served aboard the training cruiser HMS Devonshire. During his training, he distinguished himself by winning the Bantamweight title in an inter-divisional boxing competition.

During his early seagoing career, Commander Bazl served aboard HMPS Tariq, initially as Cadet Training Officer and later as the ship’s Navigating Officer. He subsequently completed the Long Navigation and Direction Course and joined PNS Alamgir during its refit and commissioning preparations at Southampton. His service also included an assignment as officer in charge of the Pakistan Navy contingent serving with the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority in West New Guinea. A major achievement of Commander Bazl’s career was his role as a member of the commissioning crew and Executive Officer of PNS Ghazi, Pakistan’s first submarine. PNS Ghazi was commissioned at Portsmouth, Virginia, on 1 June 1964, making the Pakistan Navy the first navy in South Asia to operate a submarine.

Rear Admiral Jamil Akhter PN (Retd) also had an excellent and distinguished career in the Pakistan Navy. Among the important highlights of his service was his appointment as Pakistan’s Naval Attaché in the United Kingdom. During this assignment, he was closely involved in matters connected with the procurement and induction of the Type 21 ships and PNS Moawin. His contribution supported the modernisation and strengthening of the Pakistan Navy’s surface fleet and reflected his professional competence and commitment to the service.

Commander Bazl Ahmed Khan represents the pioneering generation that helped establish the foundations of Pakistan’s naval and submarine capabilities. Rear Admiral Jamil Akhter represents the succeeding generation that contributed to the development, modernisation and expansion of the fleet. Their careers reflect different areas of naval service while sharing the same values of duty, professionalism and devotion to Pakistan.

A cake-cutting ceremony was held to mark the birthdays of both veterans. President Navy League presented flower bouquets to Commander Bazl Ahmed Khan and Rear Admiral Jamil Akhter on behalf of all members of the League.

Members warmly congratulated both officers and prayed for their continued good health, happiness and many more years of active association with the Navy League.

The occasion reaffirmed the Navy League’s commitment to honouring its senior veterans, preserving their experiences and maintaining the traditions of respect, fellowship and comradeship that unite generations of Pakistan Navy officers.