PESHAWAR, Feb 9: Speakers at a gathering here on Thursday paid tribute to the martyrs of the Islamic revolution in Iran, saying that they had set a path of national resistance against imperialism and its lackeys in the Muslim states.

Speaking at the function held at the Iranian Culture Centre on Thursday to mark the 28th anniversary of the revolution, NWFP Assembly Speaker Bakht Jehan Khan said Iran is the real leader of the Ummah today. He said Iran had survived many attempts by imperialism to destabilise it. During Iran of Shah’s time, the country was the last post of imperialism in the region, he said.

He said Iran’s President Mahmood Ahmadinejad had not only represented his country but also the aspirations of the Ummah at the United Nations General Assembly.

He also eulogised the role of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez for his struggle and bold stand against the war designs of the United States across the world.

He said it was the sane voice from Latin America which had united the continent against US imperialism.