Lahore: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Vice-Emir and Secretary General of the Muttahida Milli Yakjehti Council Liaqat Baloch has said that the United States' plan to push Arab countries into war against Iran and seize Iranian oil facilities-similar to what the Venezuela model-has collapsed.Addressing a condolence conference held under the auspices of the Punjab University Academic Staff Association on the martyrdom of Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Liaqat Baloch said the time had come for the Middle East to be cleared of American troops. He also met Iranian Consul General Mehran Moahadfar at the Iranian Consulate and later addressed a public iftar gathering in Bahawalpur.Liaqat Baloch said the people of Pakistan stand with the people of Iran and termed the US and Israeli attack on Iran a grave war crime. According to him, the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei had awakened the Muslim world, strengthened unity among the Iranian people, and brought global embarrassment to the United States and Israel.He sai d that Iran's retaliatory missile strikes had shattered the arrogance of Washington and Tel Aviv and demonstrated that American unilateral dominance was no longer accepted internationally.Referring to reactions from several European countries, he said many states had termed the US attack on Iran a violation of international law.Liaqat Baloch also warned that the ongoing conflict had triggered a severe global energy crisis, as disruptions in oil and gas supplies from the Gulf threatened international markets. He said even some American allies had acknowledged that Washington's attempt to replicate its Venezuela-style strategy in Iran had failed.Criticizing US military presence in the region, Liaqat Baloch said Arab states were paying a heavy economic price for hosting American bases. 'The time has come for the Middle East to be cleared of the 10,000 American troops stationed in the region,' he said, urging Washington to end its unconditional support for Israel.Commenting on regional tensions, Liaqat Ba loch alleged that the Pakistan-Afghanistan friction was part of a broader strategic plan involving the United States, Israel, and India. He urged the Afghan Taliban leadership to avoid falling under India's influence and emphasized that stable relations between Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan were essential for regional peace.He called on the Pakistani government to resolve tensions with Kabul through diplomacy and political dialogue, suggesting that religious scholars, regional experts, and friendly countries such as China, Trkiye, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia could help mediate.Liaqat Baloch also criticized the economic policies of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government, calling its recent measures during the war situation temporary and insufficient. He said the government is shifting the burden of economic pressure onto ordinary citizens while failing to curb corruption, elite privileges, and non-development expenditures. He further criticized the reported sharp increase in petroleum prices, asking who would benefit from the estimated Rs1.7 trillion generated through the hike. According to Liaqat Baloch, rising fuel prices had already led to a massive increase in transport fares, placing an unbearable burden on the public.