Pakistan must sustain its role as credible mediator for regional peace: Masood Khan
Islamabad: Former president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan has said that lasting peace between Iran and the United States can only be achieved through sustained diplomacy and negotiations.
According to Kashmair Media Service, Sardar Masood Khan speaking during a television interview on the evolving Iran-United States conflict said that Pakistan must continue playing a balanced and credible role in facilitating dialogue while safeguarding regional stability.
He observed that the recent exchange of military strikes had significantly widened the scope of hostilities, increasing the risk of a prolonged regional confrontation. He noted that despite repeated diplomatic initiatives, negotiations had repeatedly broken down, leading to renewed cycles of escalation. Nevertheless, he stressed that history demonstrated that even the most destructive conflicts ultimately concluded at the negotiating table.
Masood Khan highlighted the diplomatic efforts undertaken by Pakistan, Qatar, Oman and Iraq to de-escalate tensions and encourage dialogue between Tehran and Washington.
Referring to recent mediation initiatives concerning the Strait of Hormuz, he observed that while constructive proposals had emerged, renewed military operations had once again undermined confidence between the parties. He expressed the view that diplomacy must continue despite temporary setbacks, as abandoning negotiations would only prolong instability.
Discussing the expanding geographical dimensions of the conflict, Ambassador Khan noted that recent developments indicated that the confrontation was no longer confined to the Gulf region. Attacks affecting maritime routes, energy infrastructure and strategic locations had broadened the theatre of conflict, while developments involving the Caspian Sea and Ukraine illustrated the growing interconnectedness of regional security challenges. He cautioned that continued escalation could have far-reaching consequences for global trade, energy markets and international stability.
Turning to Pakistan’s diplomatic responsibilities, Ambassador Khan emphasized that Islamabad faced a delicate balancing act. Pakistan enjoyed longstanding relations with both Iran and Saudi Arabia and had earned the confidence of regional stakeholders through its sincere diplomatic engagement. At the same time, Pakistan remained committed to its defence obligations towards Saudi Arabia under existing bilateral agreements. Maintaining this balance, he said, required careful diplomacy, strategic restraint and consistent communication with all concerned parties.
Masood Khan further observed that the Gulf states themselves had little interest in a prolonged regional conflict, as continued instability threatened ambitious economic transformation programmes and undermined regional investment and development. He added that recent events had also prompted many regional countries to reassess their long-term security arrangements while diversifying their strategic partnerships.
He reiterated that Pakistan should continue pursuing a principled policy of mediation, dialogue and regional cooperation. He expressed confidence that Pakistan’s credibility, balanced diplomacy and commitment to peaceful conflict resolution positioned it to make a constructive contribution towards restoring stability in one of the world’s most volatile regions.
