Admiral Ahmed was born in 1957 and joined Bangladesh Navy in 1976. He graduated from Britannia Royal Naval College, UK with distinction and was commissioned in January 1979. Admiral Ahmed is specialized in Navigation & Direction (ND) from Pakistan, Fast Attack Craft Command & Tactics from China, Staff Course (psc) from Dhaka & US Naval War College. He is also an alumni of National Defence College (ndc), Dhaka. A successful navigator, Admiral Ahmed commanded all types of ships including 03 frigates out of 05 of Bangladesh Navy for 14 years during his 20 years of sea service. He also commanded Naval Bases and served as Ops staff officer in Naval HQ, Armed Forces Division, Fleet and Area HQs. Admiral Ahmed was the Project Director of first-ever state-of-the-art frigate built in Daewoo shipyard, South Korea. He Commanded the only BN Fleet and Naval Areas. Outside Navy, he was Commandant of Bangladesh Marine Academy and Deputy Director General & Director General of Bangladesh Coast Guard. Admiral Ahmed became Chief of the Naval Staff in January 2009 and retired in January 2013. During 4 years as chief, he enhanced the Navy from only surface fleet to three dimensions adding Air Arm, Submarine Arm and Special Forces. All ships were modernized and a significant number of new ships were added including Helos, Aircraft & Submarine. With his ship building experience in Korea, he successfully executed warship building in Bangladesh. Top ranking offices and organizations were multiplied in shaping-up the Navy as a competent and effective force. For such remarkable service, he was awarded Bangladesh Navy Padak (BNP) and Bangladesh Coast Guard Padak (BCGP) by the Government. Admiral Zahir is the Independent Director and Chairman, Audit Committee of Global Insurance PLC. He is happily married to Begum Shabnam Ahmed having one son (pilot of Boeing 737) and one daughter (pursuing Masters in Sydney). He is a keen golfer and likes to socialize during leisure time.