Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa's term has been extended for another three years by Prime Minister Imran Khan in view of the "regional security environment", an official announcement said on Monday.
General Bajwa, 58, who was appointed as the Chief of Army Staff by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in November 2016, was to retire in November.
"General Qamar Javed Bajwa is appointed Chief of Army Staff for another term of three years from the date of completion of current tenure," read the brief notification issued by the Prime Minister's Office.
"The decision has been taken in view of the regional security environment," the notification said, citing the decision made by Prime Minister Khan, apparently referring to the fresh tension in India-Pakistan relations and the ongoing Afghan peace talks between the US and the Taliban militants, facilitated by Islamabad.
Commenting on the extension given to the Army chief, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that it was essential due to the regional situation.
Having served as corps commander of Rawalpindi, Gen Bajwa has vast experience of dealing with issues related to Kashmir and the Line of Control, The Express Tribune reported.
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In a country prone to frequent military coups, the army generals who, enforced many years of martial law in Pakistan since independence in 1947, have held power for nearly as long as the civilians.
He has also strengthened the military's grip over the government, including the judiciary and areas of security policy.
Bajwa has been issuing provocative statements, needling India on the Kashmir issue.
In one of his statements, he said the reality of Kashmir was neither changed by an "illegal piece of paper" in 1947 nor by any action "now or in future."