Pakistan must act as mediator between Iran, Israel: Faisal Vawda
Senior politician and Senator Faisal Vawda has called on Pakistan to play a mediatory role in de-escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, warning that a full-blown conflict could engulf the region and beyond.
Speaking to Express News in an exclusive interview on Saturday, Vawda said war serves no country's interest and emphasised Pakistan's identity as a peace-loving nation. He blamed India for imposing conflict on Pakistan in the past, adding that every human life lost is a loss to the world.
He condemned Israel's recent military strikes on Iran, calling them unjustified and dangerous. Vawda said Iran was a neighbouring and brotherly country, and now was the time for Pakistan to step up and play a constructive diplomatic role to prevent further escalation.
'This is the moment for Pakistan to play an important role. We must act as a mediator to stop the war between Iran and Israel. If the conflict escalates, it will first consume the region and then the entire world — that would be dangerous,' Vawda added.
He noted that if the Iran-Israel conflict spreads, it could engulf the region and eventually affect the entire world. Citing past examples, he recalled how global powers had played a diplomatic role in defusing tensions between Pakistan and India, and stressed that similar diplomatic intervention is now urgently required.
Turning to domestic politics, Vawda criticised the current leadership of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), accusing it of being disloyal to the party's founder, Imran Khan. He claimed that the PTI leadership is deliberately keeping former prime minister behind bars because his release would end their political relevance.
'No one is sincere with the PTI founder. The current PTI leadership wants to keep him in jail. If Imran Khan is released, their politics will vanish,' he claimed.
He argued that real politics is absent in the country, and said the political game was just beginning. Vawda hinted at fresh political manoeuvring, stating that the political chessboard was being set and new moves were being considered.
He also mentioned increasing tensions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and said veteran politician Maulana Fazlur Rehman's experience would be useful in resolving emerging issues.
Vawda identified himself as a political student of Asif Ali Zardari, Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Imran Khan. He said that once he placed the political chess pieces, even the pawns would be knocked down.
He also expressed strong support for the military and praised Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal General Asim Munir.
Vawda said the army is Pakistan's main line of defence and described Munir as an honest and well-intentioned leader. He added that God had blessed Pakistan with strength through the army chief, and claimed attempts to undermine him had failed.
'I am a supporter of Field Marshal Asim Munir and the armed forces. God has gifted us with strength in the form of Asim Munir. He is honest and well-intentioned.'
Vawda lauded Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's performance and credited him alongside the military for Pakistan's recent victory over India.
'The credit for the victory over India goes to the field marshal, the armed forces, and the Shehbaz Sharif government. The government is fortunate,' he concluded.
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