‘Attack aids Netanyahu, hurts peace’: Does Pakistan still want Nobel Peace Prize for Donald Trump, asks Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi; fears escalation in Gulf region

HYDERABAD: Taking a swipe at Pakistan, AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday asked if the Pakistanis supported United States President Donald Trump's decision to bomb Iran's nuclear sites."The Pakistanis should tell the world if they want Trump to get a Nobel Peace Prize for such an action against a sovereign state. The US airstrikes came just days after Trump hosted Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir for lunch. Did Munir have lunch with the US President for this?" Owaisi asked in the wake of the US bombing nuclear sites in Iran amidst the latter's conflict with Israel.The AIMIM president expressed concern that a full-scale war in the Gulf and Middle-East could seriously affect over 16 million Indians living in the region."It will also impact India's economic interests. We must also remember that over 1.6 crore Indians live in the Gulf and Middle East, and if that area erupts in a war, which unfortunately is very likely, it will have a grave impact on the Indians living there. The region is vital for India's economy. Many Indian companies have investments in all these Arab countries. Also, a substantial amount of foreign investment comes from this area," Owaisi said.On the justification given by the US for the bombing, Owaisi said a bogey of Iran possessing nuclear weapons was created. The US had pushed a similar narrative prior to the invasion of Iraq, but "nothing came out".Owaisi expressed concern that the US bombing could spark a nuclear race among the Arab countries "due to Israel's blackmailing and hegemony." "This attack by the US has helped Netanyahu, who is a butcher of Palestinians," Owaisi said.