Mohammad Shariff

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Hilal-e-Jurat

Chief of Naval Staff
In office
23 March 1975 – 21 March 1979
Preceded byVice-Admiral Hasan Hafeez Ahmed
Succeeded byAdmiral Karamat Rahman Niazi
Chairman of Federal Public Service Commission
In office
1980–1986
Personal details
Born1 July 1920
Vice Chief of Naval Staff
DCNS (Operations)
DCNS (Personnel)
Eastern Naval Command, East Pakistan
Battles/wars
Awards
Service numberS/No. PN. 138

martial law in the country in 1977, and the decision in covertly intervening against Soviet Union in Afghanistan
.

Gaining commission in the

surrender of the Pakistan Armed Forces personnel to the Indian Army
.

He resumed his active military service in the Navy after his

nuclear deterrent against foreign intervention.[3]
: 331–334 

After retiring from the military in 1980, Shariff was appointed as chairman of Federal Public Service Commission while he continued his role as military adviser to President Zia-ul-Haq until 1988 when he retired from public service. After living a quiet life in Islamabad, he announced the publishing of his memoirs, Admiral's Diary, providing further accounts, causes, and failure of the military crackdown in East Pakistan.

Biography

World War II and RIN career

Mohammad Shariff was born in

Kashmiri-Punjabi family in 1920.[1]: 372 [4] As many of his contemporaries, he was educated at the Rashtriya Indian Military College and joined the Royal Indian Navy (RIN) in 1936 as a sailor in the Communications Branch.[5][6] One of his close colleagues at this time was Gautum Singh, whom he would fight against in 1971.[7]
: 218–219 

He participated in the

Dartmouth, England where he graduated with a staff course degree.[1]
: 372–373 

War and staff appointments in Pakistan Navy

In 1947, the United Kingdom announced the

opt for Pakistan and joined the newly established Pakistan Navy
.

He was the 20th most senior Lieutenant in the navy in terms of seniority list provided by the Royal Indian Navy to the

Commander in the Navy and went to the United States where he attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, and graduated with a master's degree in War studies in 1962.[10]

Upon returning to Pakistan in 1962, he was appointed as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Personnel) with a promoting rank of Captain at the NHQ.[11]

In 1965, Captain Shariff continued his staff appointment role as DCNS (Personnel) at the NHQ and participated in the second war with India in 1965.[9] He participated in planning of the naval assault against the Indian Navy and provided his analysis based on personnel preparation for the operation.[9]

In 1966, he was promoted as

Commander in Chief Admiral Syed Mohammad Ahsan where he continued his role until 1969.[12] In 1968, Commodore Shariff paid a goodwill visit to China alongside and held defence talks with the senior leadership of People's Liberation Army.[13]

Pakistan Eastern Naval Command

India-East Pakistan border
.

In 1969, Commodore Shariff was promoted as

During the same time, President General

Eastern Command, and the activities, momentum, and magnitude of the Pakistan Navy in East Pakistan increased at a maximum level, and more military and naval exercises began to take place in East Pakistan that initially focused on gathering intelligence on Indian infiltration in East.[9] East Pakistan, under the martial law administration of Admiral Ahsan, saw the period of stability and the civil control and law and order situation was effectively under control.[9]
In 2010, Admiral Shariff authored his memories and concluded:

The initial military success (Searchlight and Barisal) in regaining the law and order situation in East-Pakistan in March 1971 was misunderstood as a complete success.... In actuality, the law and order situation deteriorated with time, particularly after September of the same year when the population turned increasingly against the [Pakistan] armed forces as well as the [Yahya's military] government. The rapid increase in the number of troops though bloated the overall strength, however, [it] did not add to our fighting strength to the extent that was required. A sizeable proportion of the new additions were too old, inexperienced or unwilling....

In 1970, the

Pakistan Peoples Party claiming the mandate in Pakistan. When the agitations in East Pakistan began to gain momentum, President Yahya held meeting with Governor Vice-Admiral Syed Mohammad Ahsan and army's Eastern Command's commander Lieutenant-General Yaqub Khan over their mission outcomes where both objected the brute force against the Bengali rebels. Despite opposition, President Yahya Khan authorized the Operation Searchlight and accepted the resignations from Governor Admiral Ahsan and General Yaqub, only to be appointed Lieutenant-General Tikka Khan as their capacity.[18][17]

The Searchlight resulted in quick success, but it had created a temporary momentum on Bengali rebels who started their insurgency from

riverine city which the Army had failed to infiltrated.[17] Therefore, Rear-Admiral Shariff's command was put in test when he authorized the launch of Barisal which resulted in immediate success, but it had no long-lasting effects.[17]

As the war progressed, he insisted on deployment of the combat warships to mount a serious pressure on the Indian Navy's

SSG(N) against the Eastern Command of the Indian Army despite logistical disadvantages.[17] Overall, the Pakistan Navy performed its mission task well and diligently by providing support to the army until the end.[17] However, while the Navy was successful by performing its task, Pakistan Army's Eastern Military Commands were unsuccessful to achieve their objectives.[17] In the East, he earned his reputation as an effective commander within the military circles whose efforts had partially made the strategic shores of East Pakistan safe from the Indian Navy.[17]

Liberation war and surrender

The

Akyab in Burma.[20]

About the deployment of

American Fleet had been coming to help them [Eastern Command], it would have established contacts with his HQ."[21]

During the entire military conflict, insurgency was widely spread to entire provincial state, East Pakistan.

Jagjit Singh Arora
. In spite of Eastern Naval Command paying a heavy price, Admiral Shariff continued to keep the morale of Pakistan Navy personnel on high who were later pushed back to the wall by Mukti Bahni and the animosity of public that pounded the Pakistan Naval assets.

As Indian Armed Forces entered in East-Pakistan, Shariff planned an immediate evacuation operation.[9] He commanded and oversaw the maximum evacuation of Pakistan Naval assets from East Pakistan to Burma in a limited time.[9] However, the night Pakistan Eastern Military High Command were surrendered, Shariff with a small number of military officers planned to leave as the Pakistan naval vessel was waiting for their evacuation.[9] As the East-Pakistan fell, all the naval routes were closed by Indian Navy, forcing Shariff to remain in East-Pakistan.[9]

On 16 December, Rear-Admiral Mohammad Shariff surrendered his

covered glass" display at the Indian Military Academy's Museum.[7]

Later, he joined General Niazi where he was presented at the time when the

Instrument of Surrender was signed. Shariff was the only Admiral at that particular event, with thirty brigadiers, and four Major-Generals, and thousands of soldiers and personnel witnessed the event and instrument that Niazi signed.[7]

War prisoner and return

Upon surrendering of the Eastern Command, Rear-Admiral Shariff was taken as

: 218 

Later, Admiral Nanda transferred him to Jabalpur, to Rear-Admiral Gautum Singh who had done communications operations and specialization under Admiral Shariff in HMS Mercury during World War II.[7]: 218  He also requested a copy of the Quran which he recited during his time of his imprisonment.[7]: 218 

[At the end of the conflict] ... We [Eastern Naval Command] had no intelligence and hence, were both deaf and blind with the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force pounding us day and night ...

— Admiral Mohammad Shariff telling Admiral Zumwalt in 1971, [7]

In March 1973, the

Vice-Admiral and appointed as Vice-Chief of Naval Staff under Vice-Admiral H.H. Ahmed despite the latter being junior to Vice-Admiral Shariff.[23]

Chief of Naval Staff

On 23 March 1975, Vice-Admiral Shariff's appointment as

four-star rank Admiral by President Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry— the first four-star appointment in the history of the Navy since its establishment in 1947.[1]
: 3–4 

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff

On 22 January 1977, he was appointed acting

Vice Chairman Li Xiannian when he paid a state visit to Pakistan.[24]

In 1977, Admiral Shariff supported the

Chief of Army Staff General Zia-ul-Haq after the popular civil unrest sparked after the general elections held in 1977.[25] He was named deputy CMLA in the Military Council that is viewed to assist President Fazal Ilahi.[26]

In 1977, he was appointed acting Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee in the absence of General Muhammad Shariff who later resigned amid disagreement of the decision of the martial law on 22 January 1977.

Muhammad Sharif.[3]: 331  He was the second Chairman joint chiefs and the first admiral to have been appointed chairman joint chiefs.[3]
: 331 

With Admiral Shariff appointed as Chairman joint chiefs, he invited Admiral

MLA in East Pakistan highly benefitted General Zia-ul-Haq to consolidate and stabilize the presidency of President Zia-ul-Haq in 1978.[25]

Soviet–Afghan War

On 25 December 1979, the Soviet Union officially intervened in Afghanistan and President Zia called for a national security meeting that was attended by the Chairman joint chiefs, chiefs of staff of army, navy, and air force. At this meeting, he made no intentions against Soviet involvement in East Pakistan's crises after witnessing the Soviet support to India and Mukti Bahini.[27] After this meeting, Zia authorized this operation under General Akhtar, and it was later merged with Operation Cyclone, a programme funded by the United States and the CIA.[27]

At this meeting, President Zia had asked Admiral Shariff and his army chief of staff General

nuclear deterrent with a view to prevention of foreign intervention.[citation needed
]

Later life and post-retirement

In 1980, Admiral Shariff's retirement was due and decided not to seek an extension as he was succeeded by General

Upon retirement, he was appointed as Chairman of the

death of President Zia-ul-Haq in 1988 and took retirement from public service and his role as the military adviser to the Government of Pakistan.[27]

Admiral Shariff was a recipient of

1971 war and the Nishan-e-Imtiaz by Bhutto after coming back from India.[27]

After his retirement, he lived a quiet life in Islamabad surrounded and supported by close friends and family, and served as President of Elaf Club of Pakistan, a political and military think tank based in Islamabad.[28]

On 23 September 2010, Admiral Shariff wrote and launched his first autobiography Admiral's Diary, in English.[6] The ceremony was held at the Bahria University Auditorium. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Noman Bashir was chief guest on the occasion.[6] The book launching was attended by seasoned retired military officers and serving bureaucrats, senior retired and serving officers of the three services, family members and friends of the author, notable literary personalities, press and media.[6]

Shariff died on 27 April 2020.[2]

Awards and decorations

Nishan-e-Imtiaz

(Military)

(Order of Excellence)

Hilal-e-Jurat

(Crescent of Courage)

1971 War

Hilal-e-Imtiaz

(Military)

(Crescent of Excellence)

Tamgha-e-Diffa

(General Service Medal)

1.

1965 War
Clasp

2.

1971 War
Clasp

Sitara-e-Harb 1965 War

(War Star 1965)

Sitara-e-Harb 1971 War

(War Star 1971)

Tamgha-e-Jang 1965 War

(War Medal 1965)

Tamgha-e-Jang 1971 War

(War Medal 1971)

Pakistan Tamgha

(Pakistan Medal)

1947

Tamgha-e-Sad Saala Jashan-e-

Wiladat-e-Quaid-e-Azam

(100th Birth Anniversary of

Muhammad Ali Jinnah)

1976

Tamgha-e-Jamhuria

(Republic Commemoration Medal)

1956

Hijri Tamgha

(Hijri Medal)

1979

1939-1945 Star
Atlantic Star Africa Star Burma Star
War Medal

1939–1945

India Service Medal

1939–1945

Queen Elizabeth II

Coronation Medal

(1953)

The Legion of Merit

(Degree of Commander)

(US)

Foreign Decorations

Foreign Awards
 UK
1939-1945 Star
Atlantic Star
Africa Star
Burma Star
War Medal 1939-1945
India Service Medal 1939–1945
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
 USA The Legion of Merit (Degree of Commander)

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Anjum, Zāhid Ḥusain (1979). Ilmi Encyclopaedia of General Knowledge. Lahore: Ilmi Kitab Khana. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Former naval chief Muhammad Sharif passes away". The Express Tribune. 28 April 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  3. ^ . Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  4. ^ "پاک بحریہ کے سربراہ۔ : ایڈمرل محمد شریف". www.pakistanconnections.com.[dead link]
  5. ^ "'Admiral's Diary' launched in capital". The News International. 24 September 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  6. ^ a b c d Arshad, Muhammad. "Book titled "Admiral's Diary" launched". World Tribune Pakistan. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
  7. ^ .
  8. ^ "Admiral's Diary' launched in capital". The News International. 24 September 2010.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Sharif, Admiral Mohammad (2010). Admiral's Diary: §battling through stormy sea life for decades. Islamabad, Pakistan: Army Press, 2010. p. 51.
  10. ^ "President's Notes". Naval War College Review. 29 (2): 5. Spring 1976. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  11. ^ Jane, Frederick Thomas; Prendergast, Maurice Brazil; Parkes, Oscar (1962). Jane's Fighting Ships. Jane's Publishing Company Limited. p. 117. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  12. ^ Sirohey, Admiral Iftikhar Ahmed (1995). Truth Never Retires: An Autobiography of Admiral Iftikhar Ahmed Sirohey. Karachi: Jang Publishers. pp. 175–178. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  13. ^ Hsinhua Selected News Items. Hsinhua Selected News Items. 1968. p. 55. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  14. ^ Jane, Frederick Thomas (1969). Jane's Fighting Ships. S. Low, Marston & Company. p. 249. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  15. ^ . Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  16. ^ Impact International. News & Media. 2000. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Excerpt: How the East was lost: Excerpted with permission from". Dawn. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
  18. . Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  19. ISBN 9789694023519. Retrieved 5 January 2017.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link
    )
  20. ^ on 15 April 2001. Retrieved 29 November 2010.
  21. . Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  22. . Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  23. ^ Pakistan Affairs. Information Division, Embassy of Pakistan. 1973. p. xxxi.
  24. ^ Service, United States Foreign Broadcast Information (1979). Daily Report: People's Republic of China. National Technical Information Service. p. 28. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  25. ^ a b c d Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses (1980). Strategic analysis: The Naval dictatorship. University of California: Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses., 1980.
  26. ^ Mansuri, M.A. (17 August 2016). "In pictures: Gen Zia-ul-Haq's life and death". Dawn. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h Yousaf, PA, Brigadier General (retired) Mohammad (1991). Silent Soldier: The Man Behind the Afghan Jehad General Akhtar Abdur Rahman. Karachi, Sindh: Jang Publishers, 1991. pp. 106 pages.
  28. ^ "Active Members".

External links

Military offices
Preceded by
Chief of Naval Staff

1975–1979
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Muhammad Shariff

1978–1980
Succeeded by