Mission of peace: Inoki willing to mediate between govt, Taliban
World-renowned wrestler is willing to convince the militants to hold talks for the sake of peace in Pakistan.
World-renowned wrestler and Japanese parliamentarian Muhammad Hussain Inoki. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
World-renowned wrestler and Japanese parliamentarian Muhammad Hussain Inoki has said he is willing to act as a mediator between the Pakistan government and the Taliban for the sake of peace in the country.
“I may not be able to stop drone attacks, but I am willing to go to the Taliban if needed and convince them to hold peace talks,” he said at a joint news conference with former federal minister Dr Ghazi Gulab Jamal on Wednesday.
“Although the Japanese government has advised me against visiting dangerous places in Pakistan, I am ready to go there [the tribal areas] for the sake of peace.”
Inoki said he would approach the Taliban with a package of health, education, clean water and other facilities.
“They are human beings as well, and as such they have needs too,” he said, adding, “I want to promote peace throughout the world through sports.”
Inoki lamented that the image of Pakistan in other countries, including Japan, is very negative and said many governments around the world have issued travel advisories to their citizens against visiting Pakistan.
“I too have received these advisories, but I have a mission of peace… Bloodshed in the cradle of one of the greatest civilisations in history must come to an end, and I have come to Pakistan with this urge.”
The wrestler said he also wanted to visit the earthquake-hit areas of Balochistan, but had not been allowed to do so by the government. Still, he added, he would raise funds for the rehabilitation of the quake-affected people of the province upon his return to Japan.
Meanwhile, Inoki said, he also intends to promote wrestling in Pakistan, adding that the Punjab government had allocated two acres for this purpose.
“I am against war… If you want to fight, step into the ring,” the wrestler said.
World-renowned wrestler and Japanese parliamentarian Muhammad Hussain Inoki has said he is willing to act as a mediator between the Pakistan government and the Taliban for the sake of peace in the country.
“I may not be able to stop drone attacks, but I am willing to go to the Taliban if needed and convince them to hold peace talks,” he said at a joint news conference with former federal minister Dr Ghazi Gulab Jamal on Wednesday.
“Although the Japanese government has advised me against visiting dangerous places in Pakistan, I am ready to go there [the tribal areas] for the sake of peace.”
Inoki said he would approach the Taliban with a package of health, education, clean water and other facilities.
“They are human beings as well, and as such they have needs too,” he said, adding, “I want to promote peace throughout the world through sports.”
Inoki lamented that the image of Pakistan in other countries, including Japan, is very negative and said many governments around the world have issued travel advisories to their citizens against visiting Pakistan.
“I too have received these advisories, but I have a mission of peace… Bloodshed in the cradle of one of the greatest civilisations in history must come to an end, and I have come to Pakistan with this urge.”
The wrestler said he also wanted to visit the earthquake-hit areas of Balochistan, but had not been allowed to do so by the government. Still, he added, he would raise funds for the rehabilitation of the quake-affected people of the province upon his return to Japan.
Meanwhile, Inoki said, he also intends to promote wrestling in Pakistan, adding that the Punjab government had allocated two acres for this purpose.
“I am against war… If you want to fight, step into the ring,” the wrestler said.