Vice Admiral Ashraf was commissioned into the operations branch of the navy in 1989. He is a graduate of National Defence University, American Naval War College and Royal College of Defence Studies.

He has served on multiple key posts in his career as a naval officer including commander Pakistan fleet and commandant of the Pakistan Naval Academy. He has also served as the deputy chief of naval staff in three different posts – operations, admin, and training and personnel.

He is currently serving as the chief of staff in the naval headquarters in Islamabad.

Vice Admiraf Ashraf will succeed Admiral M Amjad Khan Niazi who was appointed to the post in October 2020.