This Article is From Jul 16, 2009

UN's Bhutto Commission arrives in Pakistan

UN's Bhutto Commission arrives in Pakistan

File photo

Islamabad:

A three-member United Nations Commission of Inquiry probing the facts and circumstances of the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto arrived in Islamabad on Thursday on its first working visit to Pakistan.

During their stay in the country, the members of the commission will meet President Asif Ali Zardari and a number of senior government officials and others in connection with the inquiry, said a statement issued by the UN.

The commission is "committed to assisting Pakistan by doing its utmost to determine the facts and circumstances of her death", the statement said.

Officials said the commission would be briefed by Pakistani investigators on their probe into the killing of Bhutto in a gun and bomb attack shortly after she had addressed an election rally in Rawalpindi in December 2007.

The panel will also meet the minister of state for law to discuss legal aspects of the probe.

The government has made strict security arrangements for the commission and a large police contingent has been deployed to protect its members.

The independent commission, established by UN chief Ban Ki-moon at the request of the Pakistan government, started its activities on July 1 with the mandate to inquire into the facts and circumstances of the assassination.

Its mandate does not extend to undertaking a criminal investigation, which will be the responsibility of Pakistani authorities, the UN statement said.

Headed by Ambassador Heraldo Munoz of Chile, the commission is supported by a core team of experienced staff members who will be based regularly in Pakistan. The staff will gather information, collate relevant material and conduct interviews.

The commission will submit its report to the UN Secretary-General in six months by the end of December 2009. The Secretary-General will share the report with the Pakistan government and submit it to the UN Security Council.

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