ISLAMABAD, Oct 9: After Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Maulana Samiul Haq, another politician has offered to help facilitate talks with the Taliban.

The interesting aspect is that he has flown all the way from Tokyo, Japan, with his noble offer.

He is Mohammad Hussain Inoki, a renowned Japanese wrestler of his time, and now member of his country’s Upper House.

Addressing a press conference at the National Press Club on Wednesday, Inoki, known as Antonio Inoki in the wrestling ring before he accepted Islam, said he would be happy to sacrifice his life for peace in Pakistan.

“I pray to Allah Almighty that I succeed in my mission to bring peace to Pakistan,” he said.

“But, there is a need to build trust before going into the talks.”

Speaking through an interpreter and flanked by former federal minister and MNA from NA-39 (Fata) G.G. Jamal, Inoki said: “After carrying out the necessary homework, I would like to visit Fata and meet the Taliban leadership to understand their viewpoint.”

When quizzed on his sudden interest in the Taliban, Inoki who re-entered Japan’s parliament known as ‘Diet’ in 2013 after a long hiatus from politics, said: “I feel bad on seeing Muslims fighting against each other, which is why I decided to travel to Pakistan and offer my services in facilitating talks between the government and Taliban.”

Mr Inoki went on to add that the system, government and the society in general had responsibilities towards the people from the tribal areas.

“There is a need to improve infrastructure in the region, as it would encourage fighters to give up arms and opt for a normal life.”

He said he had met parliamentarians from Fata as well as officials of Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) and asked them to start development work in the tribal areas.

“I have decided to work in three sectors – supplying clean drinking water, building schools and providing health facilities there,” Mr Inoki said, adding that “we should also think as to why the entire population had been deprived of a decent living because of a handful of militants.”

He also expressed his sympathy at the plight of the earthquake victims in Balochistan and said his visit was also linked to carrying out relief activities in the devastated area.

“I decided to visit Pakistan and get first-hand information on the destruction and extend all possible help to the victims. But it is unfortunate that I am not allowed to visit the earthquake-hit areas due to security concerns,” he told mediapersons.

He added that he was involved in raising funds in his home country for the earthquake victims.

When some mediapersons asked him whether there was a particular agenda behind his visit to Pakistan, the Japanese politician said it was only to promote peace in Pakistan through sports.

“If someone wants to fight, he should do it inside a ring,” he replied in a lighter tone.

Commenting on the future of wrestling in Pakistan, he said the country had potential as it had produced great wrestlers in the past.

“With the support of the Punjab government, I am launching a wrestling academy in Lahore where young wrestlers would be trained,” the former wrestler said.