Tuesday
Mar302010
UN Delays Bhutto Investigation
Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at 7:18PM
There has been yet another delay of the investigation into the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan. The urgent request for postponement of the report's release was sent for approval overnight to the Secretary-General. The new date proposed by the Pakistan government is April 15.
A three-member commission tasked to investigate Mrs. Bhutto's murder began its work in July 2009. The Commission was set up to look into the odd circumstances behind the December 2007 assassination.
Bhutto, 54, was gun down as she was leading the opposition to then President Pervez Musharraf at a campaign rally in Rawalpindi. Her husband, Asif Ali Zardari, is now serving as President. Bhutto was the first woman to become prime minister of a Muslim country.
The UN spokesperson, Martin Nesirky, seemed to have no additional ideas as to why the government requested the delay of the release of the findings. Additionally, he revealed today that the Secretary-General had not even reviewed the report before approving the delay. He added, however, that from the UN perspective the report is "complete" and "ready to go."
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon was expected to meet with Abdullah Hussain Haroon, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations this afternoon to discuss the delay and the findings of the UN Commission. Apparently, the meeting was canceled. The Pakistan Mission was also not accepting calls from reporters today.
“The Commission has informed the Secretary-General that, as of today, all relevant facts and circumstances have been explored, and the report is now complete and ready to be delivered,” a UN statement added.
The Commission's term ends tomorrow on March 31 and there will be no further investigation as noted by the Secretary General's spokesperson. The United Nations Offices in Pakistan will shut down this week in response to security concerns in the lead up to the release of the report.
"Offices are going to be closed for the next three days. It is a precautionary measure to avoid any unwanted situation that may occur after the publication of this report, for the safety and security of staff members," said UN spokeswoman Ishrat Rizvi.
A three-member commission tasked to investigate Mrs. Bhutto's murder began its work in July 2009. The Commission was set up to look into the odd circumstances behind the December 2007 assassination.
Bhutto, 54, was gun down as she was leading the opposition to then President Pervez Musharraf at a campaign rally in Rawalpindi. Her husband, Asif Ali Zardari, is now serving as President. Bhutto was the first woman to become prime minister of a Muslim country.
The UN spokesperson, Martin Nesirky, seemed to have no additional ideas as to why the government requested the delay of the release of the findings. Additionally, he revealed today that the Secretary-General had not even reviewed the report before approving the delay. He added, however, that from the UN perspective the report is "complete" and "ready to go."
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon was expected to meet with Abdullah Hussain Haroon, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations this afternoon to discuss the delay and the findings of the UN Commission. Apparently, the meeting was canceled. The Pakistan Mission was also not accepting calls from reporters today.
“The Commission has informed the Secretary-General that, as of today, all relevant facts and circumstances have been explored, and the report is now complete and ready to be delivered,” a UN statement added.
The Commission's term ends tomorrow on March 31 and there will be no further investigation as noted by the Secretary General's spokesperson. The United Nations Offices in Pakistan will shut down this week in response to security concerns in the lead up to the release of the report.
"Offices are going to be closed for the next three days. It is a precautionary measure to avoid any unwanted situation that may occur after the publication of this report, for the safety and security of staff members," said UN spokeswoman Ishrat Rizvi.
Reader Comments