The
Chief of the Naval Staff, abbreviated as
CNS, is the highest-ranking officer in the
Pakistani Navy unless a 4-star naval officer is appointed as
Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. The current Chief of the Naval Staff is
Admiral Mohammad Zakaullah who took over on 8 October 2014. The CNS reports to the
President of Pakistan, as the President is the head of the state. The CNS is responsible for the command of the Navy, utilization of resources, and operations of the Navy and for naval shore activities.