Pakistan must keep diplomatic channels open to prevent wider regional war: Masood Khan
Islamabad: Former president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan has said that Pakistan must continue coordinating with regional partners to bring the United States and Iran back to the negotiating table while supporting Saudi Arabia’s defence and pursuing a diplomatic resolution to the Houthi conflict.
Sardar Masood Khan, speaking in a television interview, said the renewed confrontation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis had deep historical roots, with Yemen’s civil war intensifying in 2014–15 and a ceasefire established in 2022.
He noted that the recent escalation had exposed the fragility of that arrangement, with attacks on Saudi targets and strategic maritime routes adding to regional insecurity and Yemen’s continuing humanitarian crisis.
Houthis strengthened military capabilities in recent years
Ambassador Khan said the Houthis had strengthened their military capabilities in recent years and demonstrated an ability to challenge Saudi air-defence systems. He observed that their actions served multiple purposes, including support for Iran and pressure on Saudi Arabia. However, he emphasised that Iran’s influence over the Houthis should not be equated with complete control over their decision-making.
Referring to the Makkah Defence Agreement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, Ambassador Khan said the three countries had committed themselves to supporting Saudi Arabia’s defence. He explained that the arrangement was intended to provide collective deterrence and could involve the use of military capabilities and other forms of assistance, subject to the respective countries’ decisions and operational requirements.
Wider US-Iran confrontation to affect regional situation
On the prospects for ending the conflict, Masood Khan said a negotiated settlement remained possible. He pointed to diplomatic contacts between Iran and Saudi Arabia and the precedent of US-Houthi negotiations in Oman, arguing that similar engagement could help reduce hostilities between Riyadh and the Houthis. He warned, however, that the wider US-Iran confrontation would continue to affect the regional situation unless meaningful negotiations resumed.
Discussing the possibility of renewed US-Israeli military action against Iran, he cautioned that a further attack could trigger a much broader conflict with severe consequences for regional stability and the global economy. He said political calculations surrounding forthcoming elections could add uncertainty, but stressed that reports of possible military operations should not be treated as confirmed decisions.
He concluded that dialogue, coordinated diplomacy and collective deterrence must work together to protect regional security, preserve Saudi Arabia’s defence and create conditions for a return to negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
