SECRETARY-GENERAL, ON ‘PAINFUL ANNIVERSARY’ OF BENAZIR BHUTTO’S ASSASSINATION,

EXPRESSES HOPE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY CAN BE ESTABLISHED IN NEAR FUTURE

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

One year ago, assassins took the life of Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan.  On this painful anniversary, the Secretary-General stands in solidarity with the Government and the people of Pakistan, and assures them of his commitment to contribute to their search for truth and justice.

In response to the request that the Secretary-General establish an independent commission of inquiry into the circumstance of the killing, the United Nations Secretariat has been in consultations with the Government of Pakistan to determine the nature of the commission, the scope of its mandate and the modalities for its establishment.  The Secretariat has also been in consultations on this matter with members of the United Nations Security Council.

The Secretary-General is hopeful that, with the progression of the discussions, the commission could be established in the near future.

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For information media • not an official record