Independent UN probe into Bhutto killing starts work in Pakistan

The independent United Nations commission charged with examining the facts and circumstances behind the December 2007 assassination of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto arrived today in Islamabad as it began its first working visit to the country.

During their visit the members of the Commission of Inquiry held what they described as a productive meeting with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Law, Justice and Human Rights Minister Afzal Sindhu.

Senior Government officials from the Interior Ministry also briefed the commissioners on some details about the assassination.

The Commission, which formally started its activities on 1 July, is headed by Ambassador Heraldo Muñoz of Chile, and its other members are Marzuki Darusman, the former attorney-general of Indonesia, and Peter Fitzgerald, a veteran of the Irish National Police who has also served the UN in a number of capacities.

Set up following a request from the Pakistani Government, the Commission will submit a report to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon within six months. Mr. Ban will then share the report with the Government and submit it to the Security Council for information.