Mahmood Khan Achakzai Urges Dialogue, Warns Region Risks Becoming Battleground for Major Powers
**Islamabad:** Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and head of the Tehreek Tahaffuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating regional situation, warning that the region is at risk of turning into a battlefield for powerful nations.
Speaking to journalists in Islamabad, the chairman of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party said conflicts with neighboring countries serve no one’s interests. He stressed the need to normalize relations with Afghanistan, Iran, and other neighboring states based on the principle of “live and let live.”
Achakzai pointed out that the region is currently in a highly sensitive and dangerous state. Referring to the presence of U.S. forces around Iran and the movement of American naval fleets toward surrounding waters, he said these developments demand calm and collective thinking to formulate a joint regional strategy.
He maintained that the situation with Afghanistan has not yet reached a point where it cannot be resolved through negotiations. Bombings and military operations, he argued, are not solutions to long-standing disputes. Offering his services, Achakzai said he is an advocate of peace and is ready to facilitate dialogue between the two sides if required, emphasizing that negotiations continue even during major wars.
The opposition leader also urged policymakers to keep in mind the growing ties between India and Israel and to avoid creating new hostilities. He stated that true leadership is demonstrated by those who navigate crises through dialogue.
On the domestic front, Achakzai said the current internal and external challenges cannot be handled by the government alone. He called for all institutions — including the armed forces, judiciary, politicians, and economic experts — to sit together and devise a comprehensive strategy to prevent the country and the region from becoming a battleground for global powers.
He concluded by appealing for fact-based negotiations instead of confrontation, asserting that dialogue remains the only sustainable path to peace and stability.
