Senate chairman Raza Rabbani. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani on Tuesday lamented that double standards of the United States and Western powers were behind turmoil in the Middle East whereas a Turkish member of parliament minced no words in pointing finger at the US for the failed coup in Turkey.
“Contemporary upheavals and turmoil in the Middle East is due to the Western policy of regime change,” he said in his opening remarks at the inaugural session of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly’s standing committee on economics and sustainable development.
The two-day session is being attended by representatives from 19 member countries. India did not send its representative to the meeting.
Rabbani said “being a Pakistani, I witnessed the Western double standards when they politically and economically supported dictatorial regimes in Pakistan and maintained silence over unlawful prosecution of political workers”.
He also regretted the silence of the West over blatant violation of human rights in Palestine and Occupied Kashmir.
Admitting that there were issues in Asia, he said these issues need to be resolved in order to achieve equitable development and peace in the region.
Turkish MP Burhan Kayaturk minced no words in saying that the US was behind the failed coup in Turkey, as he shared details of that eventful night, terming it ‘black night’.
He said Fatehullah Gulen, who is supported by the US, was behind the coup but the people of Turkey did not let it happen. He said Turkey was a “wonderful example” for any country where such threats exist.
“We had elections six months back and we secured 50% votes and there are some people who wanted to have control of Turkey without elections… the West has double standards and did not appreciate people’s struggle,” he added.
Walid A M Abu Ali, Palestinian ambassador to Pakistan, said Palestinians face human rights violations on a daily basis while the international community has been keeping its eyes and ears closed in a brazen display of double standards.
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said Pakistan believes in democracy, peace, stability and development in the region and its neighbourhood. “We do not want to participate in an arms race in the region.”
“Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state and maintains highest standards of safety and security,” he added.
Talking about the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the speaker said no country should be given preferential treatment because such policies will not make the world a safe place.
He said it has become necessary to promptly address and neutralise common roadblocks jeopardising prosperity and future of teeming millions, and Asia’s rise as the global economic, technological and cultural hub.
Senator Sherry Rehman said “we should engage and not enrage each other as the future of Asia lies in integration”.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 27th, 2016.
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