ISLAMABAD, Dec 31 Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has approved promotion of Pakistan Navy's Rear Admiral Mohammad Asif Sandila to the rank of Vice Admiral.

According to an official handout, the prime minister approved the promotion on the recommendations of the Flag Officers Promotion Board presided over by the Chief of Naval Staff.

The prime minister also approved the promotion of seven commodores to the rank of rear admiral. They are Cdre (Ops) Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, Cdre (Ops) Syed Arifullah Hussaini, Cdre (Ops) Adnan Nazir, Cdre (Ops) Shah Sohail Masood, Cdre (Ops) Syed Bashir Ahmad, Cdre (Ops) Waseem Akram and Cdre (E) Shahid Saeed.