KABUL: Zalmay Khalilzad, former U.S. envoy for peace in Afghanistan, said in a post on his X today that General Asim Munir, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, will visit Washington soon.
He stated that Munir will discuss counterterrorism efforts and the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan, with the U.S. officials.
Khalilzad noted: “Munir plans to propose cooperation from Pakistan to improve relations between the U.S. and China, like Pakistan’s role during Nixon’s opening of relations with China.”
Additionally, he mentioned that Islamabad’s efforts to attract U.S. investment in Pakistan’s mineral resources will also be on the agenda for Munir’s visit.
Khalilzad further stated that if Pakistan seeks to influence this visit, it should first release Shakil Afridi, who collaborated with the U.S. in locating former al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
The Pakistani government has yet to officially comment on this visit.
Pakistan has recently increased its military budget by 20% and is considering purchasing dozens of fighter jets from China.