Secretary-General Receives Findings of Probe into Death of Former Pakistani Leader

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

The Secretary-General today received the report of the independent Commission of Inquiry into the facts and circumstances of the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto on 27 December 2007.  Established at the request of the Government of Pakistan, the Commission has been working since July 2009.  The Secretary-General commends the Commissioners and their staff for completing their challenging task expeditiously and in a professional manner.  The duty of carrying out a criminal investigation, finding the perpetrators and bringing them to justice remains with the competent Pakistani authorities.  The Secretary-General believes that the Commission’s report will contribute to the effort that only Pakistanis can carry forward against impunity and for the strengthening of the rule of law in Pakistan. 

The mandate of the Commission has now concluded.  The United Nations will continue its assistance to and cooperation with the Government and people of Pakistan in many other important areas.

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For information media • not an official record