The federal government on Friday extended the tenure of Fawad Asadullah Khan as director general of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) after granting him a four-year extension in service.

According to notifications issued by the Establishment Division, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved a four-year extension in the contract of Fawad from July 14.

A separate notification stated that following the extension, he had been appointed director general and would continue to serve in the position until further orders.

Sources said the prime minister approved the extension after expressing confidence in his performance as additional director general of the IB, and to ensure continuity in government policies.

According to the sources, the government was satisfied with his role in counterterrorism, counterintelligence, economic security and coordination among security institutions.

Fawad is regarded as a career officer of the IB who rose through the ranks from assistant director to additional director general.

During a career spanning four decades, he served in sensitive positions and supervised key operations, the sources added.

He is also the first officer from the IB cadre to be promoted to Grade 22.

In recognition of his services, he has been awarded the Tamgha-e-Shujaat, Sitara-e-Shujaat and Hilal-e-Imtiaz during Marka-e-Haq operations.