Russia has lauded Pakistan's role as a peacemaker between Iran and the United States, particularly in brokering the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The commendation came at the St Petersburg International Legal Forum, a prestigious annual international event, where Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed addressed the gathering. The forum was also attended by the Chief Justice of Pakistan and the Chief Justice of the Federal Constitutional Court.
Pakistan's Role in Peacemaking and Regional Connectivity
In his speech on the concluding day of the forum, Senator Sayed emphasized Pakistan's pivotal role in peacemaking. He described Pakistan as a key player in Eurasia, at the heart of regional connectivity in geo-economics and at the center stage of global diplomacy in geo-politics. Sayed highlighted Pakistan's emergence as a major Muslim middle power, predicting that within the next decade, Asia would see the rise of five such powers: Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Indonesia.
Critique of Neocolonialism and Regime Change
The senator also criticized neocolonialist tactics used to control countries through regime change, which he said have destabilized nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. He cited historical examples, including the overthrow of the Iranian government in 1953, the regime change in Guatemala in 1954, and the 1960 coup in Congo that led to the assassination of Patrice Lumumba. Sayed condemned the illegal aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran, asserting that the purpose was to initiate regime change in Iran and promote the concept of "Greater Israel." He credited the heroic resistance of the Iranian nation for foiling that plan, calling it the biggest setback for the West and Israel since the Suez War of 1956.
Reparations and Economic Reconstruction
Sayed noted that for the first time, the principle of reparations has been accepted under the framework of economic development and reconstruction. This is facilitated through a special facility of $300 billion for Iran, incorporated into the 14-point Islamabad MOU. He also condemned Israeli aggression against Lebanon, stating, "Pakistan stands firmly with our brethren in Lebanon."
Changing Regional Landscape
The senator addressed the changing regional landscape of the Middle East and South Asia over the past year, where three wars have reshaped these regions. He asserted that Israel's Gaza genocide has effectively buried the Abraham Accords, Indian aggression against Pakistan has ended the notion of 'Akhand Bharat,' and the US-Israeli aggression against Iran has buried the dream of 'Greater Israel.'
