Diplomacy Crucial to Avert Wider Conflict: Masood Khan

ISLAMABAD ( WNAM REPORT): Despite the escalating conflict between Iran and the United States, diplomacy remains the only viable path to preventing a wider regional war, said Sardar Masood Khan, Former Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, China and the United Nations, and former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He stressed that Pakistan, alongside Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt, must continue facilitating dialogue to create conditions for de-escalation and a peaceful settlement of the crisis.
Speaking in a television interview on regional developments, Sardar Masood Khan observed that the latest escalation has entered a far more dangerous phase, with attacks increasingly targeting civilian and critical infrastructure instead of purely military installations. He warned that such actions would deepen humanitarian suffering, destabilize the wider Middle East and inflict severe damage on regional and global economic stability.
Referring to Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement, Sardar Masood Khan said Islamabad continues to play an active and constructive role by encouraging both Tehran and Washington to keep diplomatic channels open. He noted that recent consultations involving Pakistan and key regional states demonstrate a shared determination to prevent further escalation. He welcomed Iran’s position that diplomacy and national defence should proceed simultaneously, adding that the same principle should guide all parties to the conflict.
Commenting on the evolving security situation in the Gulf, Sardar Masood Khan warned that the conflict risks expanding beyond the immediate theatre of war. He noted that threats to maritime routes, including the Bab al-Mandab corridor and Gulf shipping lanes, could disrupt global trade, increase energy prices and undermine international economic stability. He urged regional stakeholders to exercise restraint and prevent the conflict from spreading to neighbouring states.
Turning to developments in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Sardar Masood Khan described the decision to hold phased elections as a practical and balanced approach under prevailing circumstances. He said democratic continuity must be preserved while ensuring peace, security and public confidence in the electoral process. He emphasized that constitutional and political matters concerning the Legislative Assembly should be debated and resolved through the Assembly itself, in accordance with democratic principles and institutional procedures.
Discussing political developments in India, Sardar Masood Khan cautioned against expecting immediate changes in India’s strategic outlook merely through changes in political parties. He observed that ideological trends rooted in Hindutva have extended beyond electoral politics into state institutions and society. He stressed that sustainable regional peace requires policies based on pluralism, democratic values and respect for minority rights rather than exclusionary nationalism.
Sardar Masood Khan urged Pakistan to continue pursuing proactive diplomacy while safeguarding regional stability. He emphasized that dialogue, constitutional governance and peaceful engagement remain the most effective instruments for resolving conflicts, protecting national interests and promoting lasting peace across South Asia and the Middle East.