86-A: HAPPY 40th COURSE MATESHIP DAY

On 2nd August, 1986 a bunch of 45 Young Souls joined Pakistan Naval Academy (PNA- also called PNS Rahbar) as 86-A Course. This 02 August 2026 marks their 40th PNA joining Anniversary day. This scriber is part of 86-A and therefore, HAPPY 40th COURSE MATESHIP DAY to all mates. This write up is a tribute to 86-A for an amazing sailing through time and contributing as per the Oath undertaken as a bunch with full of energy and ambitions.

أَعُوذُ بِاللّٰهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

In the name of ALLAH, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

86-A: HAPPY 40th COURSE MATESHIP DAY

Life is a gift of ALLAH and everyone who is bestowed upon has to spend this treasure till last dime. No one knows the time and last act to be enacted. Therefore, all of us have to pass through the stages of life. Every one enters the spring of youthfulness, which harbours energy, power, dreams and spirited desire to excel. Back in 1980s, all such budding souls wanted to join Armed Forces of Pakistan; because serving the nation in defense of national frontiers was considered a sacred pride and ambition. Therefore, some spirited juvenile, adventurous and determined souls decided to spend the fruitful youthful age of their life span in the war theater under the flag of Pakistan Navy. On 2nd August, 1986 a bunch of such souls joined Pakistan Naval Academy (PNA is also called PNS Rahbar) as 86-A Course.

Pakistan Naval Academy is located at Manora Island, Karachi since 1970 (before being commissioned as PNS Rahbar, the location had served many purposes and PN History Book provides the details) for providing professional, academic, and military training to PN Cadets.. Then it was one of the three PN training establishment situated at Manora. The PN inherited the buildings and structure from Royal Indian Navy in 1947, when Pakistan came into being. The PNA then had main area, outer area and firing range area. The main area comprised one admin block namely “Quaid Block”; where Commandant / CO, ExO, all DOs and Offices of other HoDs were located. The Quaid Block was the front elevation of PNA, facing the Karachi Harbour Channel. The “PNA Mast” was also hoisted on the Quarter Deck in front of Quaid Block, which used to fly command flag (or command pennant) on the top, round the clock and national ensign “Flag of Pakistan”- our motherland was flown on the gaff (a spar extending aft from a mast)from Sun Rise to Sun Set on. The flag hoisting and lowering was conducted by cadets at 0800 and Sun Set.

There used to be a famous Pentagon at PNA also, located in Quaid Block, which was used as office by five Divisional Officers; the den of most fearsome (well there were more than five terrifying DOs, but cadets ranked Dwellers of Pentagon as the most nerve shaking souls). There used to be a large window opening towards Parade Ground and the observant eyes of those dreaded “Pentagon Dwellers” used to scan all in one glare (this was how it appeared to all cadets). Those DOs consisted of the crow nest watchers of Surface Fleet, the eagle eye possessors of Naval Aviation and deep listeners from prowlers of the deep-the Sub Mariners. Occasionally, the power muscled tough bargainers from SSG were also positioned in that office. They combined churned the image which any faint heart cadet could not bear and thus couldn’t bear the heat and thus lost to civilian facade. There also existed another Office on the opposite wing of the Quaid Block, which was also DOs’ Office, but some-how, their demeanor was always opposite to Pentagon.

There were three grand houses Commandant House (Unity), ExO House (Faith) and Cdr Khateeb House (Discipline); which were placed appropriately on one side of the parade ground, probably to transmit symbol of “naval role model” practical adoptability to the cadets throughout the day. The parade ground was to be called at stand still and salute was presented to CO & ExO, whenever they used to cress-cross parade ground from Sun Rise to Sunset. The cadets used to view both the personalities as god father like figures. Cdr Khateeb was English teacher, who had served as Commandant Cadet College Kohat as well and had an awe inspiring personality.

PNA was located on an island; therefore, everyone had to enter Academy though a boat berthed at PNA Jetty existed on the right side of PNA entrance, and Commandant Jetty was placed right in front. As one entered through PNA gangway (was actually under Commandant’s Office-perched above on first floor), he had to pass through OOD and CAO (Adjutant in military sphere) offices. The Academy affairs were run through those two offices. The cadet affairs was handled by CAO / ACAO and assisted by a team of cadets on duty.

The first building (was under construction on joining of 86-A) on the left was “Barbarossa” Block, named after famous Muslim Admiral (Hayreddin Barbarossa was a pivotal Ottoman admiral who spearheaded maritime dominance in the Mediterranean during the 16th century serving as the chief admiral under Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent). The block housed class rooms and drawing chart rooms, facilitating training purposes through dissemination of lectures. There was choice available to all cadets to learn in the class room or in parade ground. The instructors knew all the tricks of the trade, as all DOs used to teach in classes as well.

Khaibar Block was placed in the middle, which was the dining room for cadets. Khaibar Up was the Gun Room, where cadets used to meet and entertain their guests on weekends. There was a Sick Bay also sand witched between Khaibar Block and Ward Room. (A wardroom is the combined dining room, lounge, and recreation space for PN officers).

There were three buildings situated on the right side, providing boarding to cadets. Those buildings were named as Liaquat (right side), Ghazi (middle) and Muhafiz (left side) Blocks. The cadets of three divisions of Fox’l Squadron namely, Tariq, Tipu and Taimur Divisions were placed in Liaquat Block, while Tughral was settled in Muhafiz Up. Shahjahan was resting at Muhafiz Down and the rest of three Q/ Deck Divisions were settled in outer area. All divisions of Main Top Squadron were housed in Ghazi Bk, with Mubarak and Momin in Ghazi Down and Mahmood and Mujahid in Ghazi Up.

There was a swimming pool sand witched between Quad Block and Liaquat Block, and Boat Yard and Boat Slip behind Laiquat Block. There were few married officer houses adjacent to Muhafiz Block and behind those Officers residential area was 0.22 Rifle Range. There was Fire Brigade Office opposite to Firing Range and a Boxing Ring adjacent to FF Brigade.

The Story of 86-A

The majority of the 86-A were colts from Junior Cadet Scheme and about a dozen plus were civilian college products (CPs). The batch consisted of 02 from Junior Cadet College, 08 from PAF College Sargodha, 13 from Junior Cadet Battalion and 04 from Cadet College Petaro. 17 CPs were PN Cadets, who were inducted after FSc and 02 were the Relegees from 85-B. Therefore, a total of 46 Cadets started First Term. Those cadets were distributed in three Squadrons (Foxl, Main Top & Quarter Deck) and twelve Divisions; four in each Squadron. The 4 x Divisions in Foxl were Tariq, Tipu, Tughral & Taimur; 4 x Divisions in Main Top were Mubarak, Mahmood, Momin, & Mujahid and lastly Q/Deck Divisions were Shahjahan, Jahangir, Alamgir & Badr.

The PNA then was not only training PN Cades but also Allied Cadets from Saudi Arab, Bahrain, UAE and Qatar. In fact the number of Allied Cadets was greater than PN Cadets. The main area of PNA didn’t have the sufficient accommodation for all cadets; therefore, three Divisions of Q/Deck other than Shahjahan were housed along with dining halls in PNA Outer Area. First Term Class Rooms were also located in Outer Area. All the buildings in PNA Outer Area were actually British Era Old Barracks.

Pakistan Navy had a long training period comprising almost Five long years. Pakistan Naval Academy is the initial training institution with a Mission “to develop Midshipmen morally, mentally and physically; and imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, honour and loyalty in order to graduate leaders who are dedicated to a career of Naval Service and potential for future development in mind and character to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government”. PNA had the duration of three terms for the said purpose. Training at PNA had two distinct forms; class room instructions for award of degree and military training for instilling military bearing and sharpening leadership skills.

First term in PNA for a cadet will always be most grueling and testing, because the first termer is chased by two senior terms cadets. In August 1986, the Immediate Term Seniors 85-B flexed their muscles to some extent, but were limited in their ability to flourish because the third termers 85-A had outnumbered and outsmarted them. However, the Senior Term Pops(y) were most loving and caring in administrating punishment, both physical and psychological. Our Allied Seniors especially those from KSA were very forth coming in taking turns to yell expletives in their half cooked English and native language, ie Arabic, which we Pakistanis thought were blessings. ( See me; 05:00; not come, not leave you, in Sha ALLAH and all of those 100 plus Pops(ies) wanted to see fresh shaved face at 05:00); so the day started with special blessings throughout the term. Here, it would be appropriate to declare that there is No parallel of expletives in Punjabi, which were yelled at special occasions to evoke patriotism, favourtism and passionate anger. The Term 85-A along with Allied Cadets were about 200 and 85-B were about 100 plus. So, for 46 odd 86-A PN Cadets, there were no hiding place from 05:00 to 22:00.

The PNA Normal Week Day Routine was between 05:00 to 22:00 hrs. The morning call was made at 05:00 and special breed were required to register their presence to COD and OOD, because they required additional reminders for adhering to Good Order and Naval Discipline. Fall-in for PT was held at 05:30. PT usually culminated at 06:20, if the third term had not made any blunder, in which case it went on till 06:50 even. The Breakfast lasted at 07:20, followed by assembly for Parade till hoisting of National Flag at 08:00 and March past. The classes were held from 08:10 to 14:00 Hrs with Stand Easy break from 10:30 to 10:50 hrs. The clock ticking of 15:00 hr was reserved for special breed again under Routines B & C, who were made to sweat in parade ground under the watchful eye of POGI and at times by Gunner. Some super souls under Routine Delta were administered Good Order and Naval Discipline by some vigilant DOs. Some of the cadets were so notoriously extravagant that they were always in attendance of this august gathering (punishments) from the first day till last day of the term.

The call for sports was made at 16:00 hrs and every cadet even on sick list had to be present in parade ground. All cadets were required to take active participation in any of the sports and games being played. The sick were to watch others to play. Hockey, Cricket, Football, Basketball, Sailing, Boxing, Swimming were part of Squadron Efficiency Banner Competition. Quiz, Debates and Drill was also part of the Banner Competition. The Sports hour lasted till 17:30 to 18:00 hrs. The sports period might have lasted till 19:15 for some 1st termers due to any ongoing love affair with any senior cadet as an extension of 05:00 missed morning’s “see me call”. The call for Dinner was at 19:30 hrs and Dinner normally lasted till 20:30 Hrs. After that Night Rounds were conducted by Duty Divisional Officer assisted by COD. The Pipe Down was made at 22:00 hrs. All the cadets were required to sleep after the Pipe Down till the morning call at 05:00. Any cadet found out of the bed other than Wash Rooms were awarded punishment for not sleeping. Yet many cadets would narrate interesting stories of their night long sightseeing adventure or tale of being caught defying pipe down. Youthful street smartness or wag abound nature caused some to earn Routine C and few Routine D. However, many believed in securing peaceful sleep every night to be fresh to see a new day and face a new challenge, which were never ending. In the end of the day, they only excelled and shone who managed the challenge as per the rules and regulations and exhibited truly spirited performance.

All the DOs and Instructors were famous for entirely different reasons, and all of them were granted “Nick Names” by cadets for their own reasons and situations they faced with that particular individual. Some names became universal and transmitted from one course to another. However, some personalities were really awesome and they were remembered for their character, acumen and actions.

The 1st term sets the tone for future Naval Career for any cadet, who may have come from any background at the Naval Academy. The Academy routine gels them into one recognition- Course Mates and introduces comradeship in their mental psyche. In those days, majority of the cadets were inducted after Matric as Junior Cadets to be trained at Tri Service Junior Cadet Set Ups. The Naval Cadets at Junior Cadet College PNS Rehnuma were 20th JC, therefore, 86-A was called as 20th Course by all and sundry. It is noteworthy, that parallel courses at PMA was 78 L/C comprising cadets of 17th JC of JCB and the cadets of 86-GD and 30 CAE from PAF College at PAF Academy. The cross training of tri-services at each other Junior Cadet Colleges gave rise to inter services bonhomie, which benefited the Armed Services in many ways in times to come. Some sort of cross service comradeship was felt and expressed. Alas the scheme couldn’t be continued due to financial reasons.

The Academy life was busy and hectic; and there was no dull moment. It was seven days week routine and that continued for entire term, even term break was like a routine. The complete term was scheduled in such a manner that everyone was kept on the toes. As soon as the cadets joined, few things were clearly hammered to all. The foremost dictum drilled into mind was two Rules. Rule #1: Senior is always right; Rule#2, if he is Not, see Rule#1. Moreover, any one joined a day before you is senior to you. This concept was preached, observed, followed and lived without exception. Therefore, all Naval Personnel always establish the course designation of any one who meets to observe service decorum and respect. It becomes inbuilt order and trait and any one fond neglecting is considered a “disgrace”.

(The 1st Term Group Photo)

There were the 45 PN Cadets who comprised 86-A at PNA in August 1986. All of them were whipped for three terms at PNA and barring few, rests were sent to ships to develop sea legs and seaman eyes. Some were watered out and about three dozen landed at greater Karsaz for branch wise training. Those were to be commissioned after one term.

The following were the 45 PN Cadets who comprised 86-A at PNA in August 1986: -

Rizwan Rashid, Nadeem Riaz, (02 JCC PNS Rehnuma)

Qadeer Akram, Farooq Nadeem Akbar, Zakir Abdullah, Zahid Hassan Bawar, M Anwar Khan, Qasim Rehman, Saif Ullah Khan, Adnan Jan Balouch, Saad bin Zafar, Faran Ali Khan, Raza ur Rahim Nadeem, M Ashfaque, Ahmad Nadeem Abbasi (13 Junior Cadet Battalion Abbottabad)

Iftikhar Ahmad Khan, Zakir Hussain Jaddon, Saadet Munir Haider, Nadeem Hameed Mirza, Tariq Javed, Aqueel Murad, Zahid Qadeer Aslam,C M Sabir (08 PAF College Sargodha)

M Sarfraz Khan, Adnan Makki, Naveed Ahmad Sorohio, Adil Rashid, (04 Cadet College Petaro)

M Nadeem Atif, M Amin….(02 from 85-B at PNA)

M Asif Raza , Shahid Nasr, Tahir Zaigham Hakeem, …Naveed Ashraf, M Sohial Arshad,… Habib Ur Rahman, …Tanveer Akmal, ..Tassawar Shiraz, Iftikhar Saeed, Syed Ahmad Raza, Raja Atiq Ur Rehman, Abdul Majid,M Javed Malik, M Bilal Sair, Ahsan Siddique, Ameer Uddin Zafar, (16 CPs)……

Total were 02+13+8+4+2+16= 45

The Commissioning Group Photo

Exactly, 37 and half years ago on 12th January 1989, the 86-A Course was commissioned in 60th Midshipmen Commissioning Parade as Sub Lieutenant in Pakistan Navy. It included 11 Ops Branch, 09 each of ME and WE branch and 05 S&S branch Officers. About a dozen were also the Allied Arab Forces Officers (UAE & Bahrain Navy) trained with the course. It was proud moment for each of them as well as the family and there was nothing in front except honour, dignity, glory and of course pleasure of officer ship.

The parade was led by Iftikhar Ahmad Khan and the coveted Sword of Honour was also earned by him and Academy Dirk was pocketed by Zakir Hussain Jadoon. One shall always be thankful to ALLAH and parents along with well-wishers for making it possible. Moreover, one shall always remain thankful to the honourable teachers, trainers and mentors for their valuable contribution in the betterment and achievements in goals and objectives of life. THANK YOU to all of them.

The following were the 36 Midshipmen as 86-A commissioned at PNA on 12 January 1989:-

Rizwan Rashid, Qadeer Akram, Qasim Rehman, Adnan Jan Balouch, Iftikhar Ahmad Khan, Zakir Hussain Jadoon, Zahid Qadeer Aslam, Tassawar Shiraz, Iftikhar Saeed, M Amin, Abdul Majid. { Naveed Ashraf and Nadeem Riaz (at Germany)} (13 Ops Branch)

Saad bin Zafar, Saif Ullah Khan, Saadet Munir Haider, Nadeem Hameed Mirza, M Asif Raza , Shahid Nasr, Tahir Zaigham Hakeem, Habib Ur Rahman, Tanveer Akmal (09 ME Branch)

M Sohail Arshad, Farooq Nadeem Akbar, Zahid Hassan Bawar, M Anwar Khan, Tariq Javed, M Sarfraz Khan, M Javed Malik, M Bilal Sair, Hassan Raza (85-B) (09 WE Branch)

Faran Ali Khan, Raza ur Rahim Nadeem, Naveed Ahmad Sorohio, Raja Atiq Ur Rehman, A T Anjum (85-B) (05 S&S Branch).

Total were 13+9+9+5= 36

Pakistan Navy had a long training period comprising 4-1/2 long years. NHQ assign training duties to highly assessed personalities as trainers for the young aspirants. There is a period of mutual training shared by all trainees despite branch wise training after initial four terms. Some of the teachers, trainers and mentors who earned name and fame due to their personality, character , acumen and performance are R/Adm Khawaja Salim, R/Adm Pervaiz Asghar, Adm Zaka Ullah, R/Adm Saleem Akhter, R/Adm Waqar Siddique, Cdre M Asif(S/M), Cdre Javaid Manzoor, Cdre MB Chaudary, Cdre Zafar Mehmood, Capt Faisal Farooqi, Capt Munir Sadiq, Capt Javaid Iqbal, Capt Iqbal (Maths), Capt IA Khanzada( Chem), Cdr Javed Mehtab(GO), Cdr Javed Mannan, Cdr Anjum Mufti, Cdr Abdur Rauf (Com Sc), Cdr Shareef(DO Jahangir Div), Lt Cdr Mansoor (late (GO), Lt Cdr M Khurshid (Phy) and so many more too be mentioned some times later.

Life is also like a marathon, it doesn’t end till it ends. In the journey of life, the theater of Pakistan Navy is a steep pyramid with nine levels of rise and many hurdles and obstacles in between. Everyone has to transverse through the junctures as per his aim and plan. Some gallop, some canter, some trot and few just keep ahead of the disqualification level by walk run walk. The course then during the service has volunteered to serve in all aspect of naval service. Some dived to the depth of waters in submarines, others flew in the skies. Some surfed on the waters on board gun / missile boats, oil tankers, destroyers and frigates. Raza Ur Rahim Nadeem became SSGN. The only thing, the course didn’t disturb was constructor branch.

The majority of the course has lapped out of the PN Theater during the last 40 years. Some fellows touched the red lines very early so were signaled out (Like Farooq Nadeem Akbar), some deserted midway to venture in other arenas that came in the way (like Shahid Nasr, Tahir Zagham Hakeem). Qasim Rehman simply vanished, dissolved in the thin air with no trace; till recently the news arrived that he expired on 30 June 2026 at PNS Shifa. A chunk of the course exited through the first noble exit lane of 23 years’ service. Midway through the race, a carrot namely NHS was introduced and this also encouraged the fatigued bodies to drag till the exit lane. Some stallions jumped away for NHS. The service of Pakistan Navy is risk prone and accident can take place even during a routine activity / action. Qadeer Akram Shaheed embraced sahadat during a routine exercise. Bilal Sair (late) eased out due to medical condition. Aqueel Murad (terminated a day before passing out also existed due cardiac failure three years ago. May ALLAH bless all the deceased souls and grant them a place in Jannah, amen.

Pakistan Navy is like a tribe and the 86-A is a sub-tribe, which helps in recognition of an individual in the community. The course has been glorified and inked in the annals of PN by R/Adm Sohail Arshad who catapulted course status in historical records. 86-A proved even more blessed to have one lovely, lucky and talented soul among the bunch of lads who came together at PNA in 1986. That young man possessed the real metal, grit and steadfastness, who exhibited the passion, perseverance, dedication and flawless gallop to reach the top position as Chief of the Naval Staff Pakistan Navy, i.e. Admiral Naveed Ashraf on 6th October 2023.

Whenever, sometimes in future, PN will be a well-oiled Naval Force and we be a marine nation, somebody will unearth about 86-A too... so dear Brothers; keep rocking and be always on the right side of values and virtues. May ALLAH bless us all in all the best ways and means, ameen.

To my dear friends, both near and far,

As naval souls, we've sailed so far.

We've braved the storms, the winds, the sea,

Shared bonds of strength and loyalty.

Silver strands, yet hearts so bold,

Stories of honor still retold.

Grateful I am, for friends so true,

The best of life — I find in you.