Diplomacy only path to prevent wider Middle East war, says Sardar Masood Khan

MIRPUR, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Jul, 2026) Former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and former Pakistan ambassador to the United States, China and the United Nations, Sardar Masood Khan, has urged Pakistan and key regional countries to keep diplomatic channels open to prevent the Iran–United States conflict from spiralling into a wider regional war. Speaking in a media interview on Wednesday, he said diplomacy remains the only viable option for de-escalation, adding that Pakistan, alongside Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt, should continue facilitating dialogue to help create conditions for a peaceful settlement.

Masood Khan warned that the latest escalation had entered a more dangerous phase, with attacks increasingly targeting civilian populations and critical infrastructure rather than solely military sites. He cautioned that a prolonged conflict could deepen the humanitarian crisis, destabilize the middle East and disrupt global trade through threats to key maritime routes, including the Bab al-Mandab corridor and Gulf shipping lanes, potentially driving up energy prices and harming the world economy. He said Pakistan's ongoing diplomatic engagement with Tehran and Washington reflected its constructive role in promoting restraint and dialogue.

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Commenting on domestic developments, Masood Khan described the decision to hold phased elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir as a practical approach that would ensure democratic continuity while maintaining law and order. He stressed that constitutional and political issues relating to the Legislative Assembly should be addressed within the Assembly through democratic debate and institutional mechanisms, saying public confidence in the electoral process must remain a priority.

On regional politics, Masood Khan said lasting peace in South Asia would require policies rooted in pluralism, democratic values and respect for minority rights. He argued that ideological trends associated with Hindutva had moved beyond electoral politics into broader state institutions and society in India, making meaningful policy shifts more challenging. He reiterated that proactive diplomacy, constitutional governance and peaceful engagement remained the most effective tools for resolving conflicts, safeguarding national interests and promoting long-term regional stability.

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