Navy Commodore Muhammad Khalid was promoted to the rear admiral rank on Tuesday, according to an official statement.

“He is currently serving as the commandant of the Pakistan Naval Academy. Rear Admiral Khalid has also been awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz [Military] in recognition of his distinguished services,” it said.

Khalid was commissioned into the navy’s operations branch in 1995. The rear admiral is a graduate of the Pakistan Naval War College, the Naval Staff Course in South Africa, and the National Defence University.

In addition to a master’s degree in oceanography from the United States, Khalid has also completed several international courses on hydrography and maritime affairs.

He has held various important command and staff positions during his career in the Pakistan Navy.