UN chief announces Bhutto assassination probe

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon on Wednesday said an independent commission of inquiry would be shortly set up for probing assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

‘On the basis of our extensive consultations with the government of Pakistan and members of the Security Council, I intend to establish very shortly an independent commission of inquiry headed by a very distinguished person, whom I am going to nominate soon,’ Secretary General Moon said at the banquet hosted in his honour by President Zardari.

The UN chief said establishing the commission was important for uncovering facts about assassination of the PPP leader.

He said he was aware of the fact that the issue of her assassination was a matter of great importance to the people of Pakistan. No details about the composition of the commission were shared.

There were high expectations in the government circles that Mr Moon would announce the commission during short stay in Islamabad.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had told media persons in his press talk at Islamic University last week that the secretary general was expected to announce the formation of the commission.

President Zardari speaking on this occasion thanked the secretary general for accepting Pakistan’s request for a UN probe into Bhutto's assassination.