The Chief of the Naval Staff, abbreviated as CNS, is the highest-ranking officer in the Pakistani Navy unless a 4-star naval officer is appointed as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. The current Chief of the Naval Staff is Admiral Mohammad Zakaullah who took over on 8 October 2014. The CNS reports to the President of Pakistan, as the President is the head of the state. The CNS is responsible for the command of the Navy, utilization of resources, and operations of the Navy and for naval shore activities.