Independent UN probe into Bhutto killing meets with former Pakistani president

The independent United Nations commission charged with examining the facts and circumstances behind the December 2007 assassination of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto met recently with former President Pervez Musharraf.

The Commission of Inquiry “had a frank, open and cordial conversation with former President Musharraf, having been able to pose to him many queries on issues central to its mandate,” the group said in a statement issued yesterday.

Set up following a request from the Pakistani Government, the Commission has met with dozens of individuals in the course of its work, which it formally started on 1 July.

The Commission 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.

It will submit a report to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon within six months of starting its work. Mr. Ban will then share the report with the Government and submit it to the Security Council for information.