1. Mohammad Shariff HJ HI LoM, was a Pakistani senior admiral who served as the 2nd Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and a memoirist who was at the center of all the major decisions made in Pakistan in the events involving the war with India in 1971, the enforcement of martial law in the country in 1977, and the decision in covertly intervening against Soviet Union in Afghanistan.
Mohammad Shariff resumed his active military service in the Navy after his repatriation from India and was appointed the Chief of Naval Staff in 1975 after the sudden death of Vice-Admiral Hasan Ahmed.
Mohammad Shariff had the distinction of being the first four-star admiral in the navy and was the first admiral to be appointed as Chairman joint chiefs committee in 1978 until 1980.
Mohammad Shariff was born in Gujrat, Punjab, British India, into an Kashmiri-Punjabi family in 1920.
Mohammad Shariff participated in the World War II as a signalist in the Royal Indian Navy on behalf of Great Britain and took part in military action in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Red sea, and Bay of Bengal.
Mohammad Shariff was the 20th most senior lieutenant in the navy in terms of seniority list provided by the Royal Indian Navy to the Ministry of Defense in 1947.
In 1965, Captain Mohammad Shariff continued his staff appointment role as DCNS at the NHQ and participated in the second war with India in 1965.
Mohammad Shariff participated in planning of the naval assault against the Indian Navy and provided his analysis based on personnel preparation for the operation.
In 1968, Commodore Mohammad Shariff paid a goodwill visit to China alongside and held defence talks with the senior leadership of People's Liberation Army.
In 1969, Commodore Mohammad Shariff was promoted as Rear-Admiral, a two-star rank, and posted in East Pakistan as Flag Officer Commanding at the Eastern Naval Command HQ.
Therefore, Rear-Admiral Mohammad 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.
Mohammad Shariff personally led many operations undertaken after the deployment of the Marines and SSG against the Eastern Command of the Indian Army despite logistical disadvantages.
Admiral Mohammad Shariff authorized Lieutenant-Colonel Liaquat Asrar Bukhari to evacuate the Aviation Corps and take refuge to neighbouring Burma.
General Niazi agreed with Rear-Admiral Mohammad Shariff and ordered Colonel Liaqat to launch an evacuation operation immediately.
In spite of Eastern Naval Command paying a heavy price, Admiral Mohammad 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.
Mohammad Shariff commanded and oversaw the maximum evacuation of Pakistan Naval assets from East Pakistan to Burma in a limited time.
Mohammad 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.
Mohammad Shariff requested a copy of the Quran which he recited during his time of his imprisonment.
On 22 January 1977, he was appointed acting Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee in the absence of General Muhammad Mohammad Shariff and led the delegation to meet with Vice Chairman Li Xiannian when he paid a state visit to Pakistan.
In 1977, Admiral Mohammad Shariff supported the martial law enforced by Chief of Army Staff General Zia-ul-Haq after the popular civil unrest sparked after the general elections held in 1977.
Mohammad Shariff was named deputy CMLA in the Military Council that is viewed to assist President Fazal Ilahi.
Mohammad Shariff was the second chairman joint chiefs and the first admiral to have been appointed chairman joint chiefs.
Mohammad Shariff played a crucial role in President Zia's policy on nuclear weapons and was a strong proponent for the implementation of the nuclear deterrent with a view to prevention of foreign intervention.
In 1980, Admiral Mohammad Shariff's retirement was due and decided not to seek an extension as he was succeeded by General Iqbal Khan.
Mohammad Shariff was given a guard of honour, and a monument under his name was built in Navy NHQ and the Joint Staff HQ.
Mohammad Shariff continued his role as military adviser and the chairmanship until 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.
Admiral Mohammad Shariff was a recipient of Hilal-i-Jurat, which was awarded to him after the 1971 war and the Nishan-e-Imtiaz by Bhutto after coming back from India.
On 23 September 2010, Admiral Mohammad Shariff wrote and launched his first autobiography Admiral's Diary, in English.