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”.

Bajwa, 58, who was appointed as the army chief by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in 2016, was to retire in November.

“The decision has been taken in view of the regional security environment,” a notification said, citing the decision made by Khan, apparently referring to the fresh tension in India-Pakistan relations and the ongoing Afghan peace talks between the US and the Taliban, facilitated by Islamabad.

Having served as the corps commander of Rawalpindi, Bajwa has vast experience of dealing with issues related to Kashmir.

In a country prone to frequent military coups, army generals who enforced many years of martial law since independence in 1947 have held power for nearly as long as the civilians.

Bajwa has also strengthened the military’s grip over the government, including the judiciary and areas of security policy.

He 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 the future”.

“There can never be a compromise on Kashmir,” Bajwa said in his Independence Day message to the nation on August 14.

Bajwa is the second army chief to get a full-term extension in recent times. Earlier, Gen Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani was given a full term in 2010.

There had been reports that Khan may give another term to Bajwa as both were working closely. Bajwa accompanied Khan on his maiden US visit during which he met US President Donald Trump at the White House.

Khan had also nominated Bajwa as a member of the National Development Council, in an unprecedented move.

In Pakistan, the appointment of the army chief is the prerogative of the prime minister and his government.

When Bajwa was appointed the army chief by Sharif, he had superseded three other generals. He took over command from former army chief Gen Raheel Sharif.

Bajwa’s extension comes amidst worsening ties between India and Pakistan following India’s decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370.

Reacting to India’s decision, Pakistan expelled the Indian High Commissioner, after deciding to downgrade diplomatic ties with New Delhi.

Pakistan also suspended its trade relations with India in retaliation against the decision.

India has categorically told the international community that its move to scrap Article 370 of the Constitution revoking the special status to Jammu and Kashmir was an internal matter and has advised Pakistan to accept the reality.