Pakistan mediating the Middle East war will bring great benefits to national prestige and foreign relations, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif says.

“Pakistan has been in a position where it will play any role it can,” Asif told Geo News. “We have a historic call to ensure that future generations remember Pakistan’s services to peace.

“We have to build on these opportunities before us right now. I believe that staying away [from the conflict] is not an option.”

Asked about risks to Pakistan in the peace process, Asif said that there are no big risks, but that “we will need to be careful at some points”.

“When you draw a comparison between the risk factors and benefits, then I think the benefits are huge, for our prestige, our relations and our leadership,” he adds.

“For a country like Pakistan to be a mediator in such a large conflict is a major development.”