Islamabad: Former Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, China, and the United Nations, Sardar Masood Khan, has emphasized Pakistan’s emergence as a stabilizing force in the Gulf region, asserting the country’s continued central role in shaping a new regional security and economic framework aimed at promoting peace through dialogue.

According to President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Sardar Masood Khan, the recent United States-Iran Memorandum of Understanding presents an opportunity to shift from longstanding hostilities to regional cooperation centered on economic integration and collective security. He highlighted Pakistan’s successful mediation efforts, which have gained the trust of major stakeholders, facilitating dialogue among the United States, Iran, and Gulf states.

Sardar Masood Khan noted that while the regional security environment remains unstable, diplomatic efforts are progressing. He stressed the importance of confidence-building measures between Washington and Tehran and the need for ongoing mediator engagement to maintain the ceasefire across the Middle East.

Discussions are reportedly underway concerning the future of the U.S. military presence in the Gulf following vulnerabilities exposed in recent conflicts. Sardar Masood Khan advocated for a cooperative security framework that prioritizes stability over confrontation.

The Memorandum of Understanding, according to Sardar Masood Khan, offers a pathway for sanctions relief, economic reconstruction, and enhanced regional connectivity and security cooperation between Iran and Gulf countries. He noted that effective implementation of these commitments could significantly alter the strategic landscape of West Asia.

Despite progress, unresolved issues concerning Israel, Lebanon, and broader regional security continue to challenge the peace process. Sardar Masood Khan emphasized that sustained diplomacy remains the only viable option for achieving lasting regional stability.

He concluded by highlighting Pakistan’s balanced and constructive foreign policy, which has earned it the confidence of major regional actors and solidified its role as a reliable regional mediator. Sardar Masood Khan reiterated Pakistan’s potential to contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity across the Gulf and West Asia through dialogue, regional connectivity, and economic cooperation.