Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation, has offered his assistance in further boosting the diplomatic cooperation with Pakistan.

The offer came during a meeting with Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the GHQ, according to a statement issued by the armed forces media wing on Friday. Khalilzad is part of the guest speakers at the two-day Islamabad Security Dialogue, which commenced on April 1.

During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security situation including Afghanistan and bilateral cooperation in various fields were discussed, it read. On Afghanistan siutation, the COAS stressed the need for “global convergence and sincere efforts” to avert a looming humanitarian catastrophe. COAS Gen Qamar thanked the former US envoy for attending the Islamabad Security Dialogue.

The visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan’s role and efforts towards regional stability, it read, adding: “He pledged to play his role for further improvement in diplomatic cooperation with Pakistan at all levels.”

Moreover, Khalilzad expressed his gratitude for being given an opportunity to attend the event.

Khalilzad, who had frequent meetings with the Pakistani leadership after the signing of the US-Taliban agreement, the offer comes as Pakistan and the US relationship reached a new low when Prime Minister Imran Khan claimed that Pakistan’s former Ambassador to the US Asad Majeed was warned by Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu that the premier’s continuation in office would have repercussions for bilateral ties.

The claim comes at a time when the premier is facing a no-confidence motion tabled in the National Assembly by the united opposition. At the start of the Islamabad Security Dialogue, PM Imran had also said that “a powerful country” was irked by his government's decision to go ahead with the Russia visit amid the impending Ukraine crisis.