UN commission probing Benazir assassination meets ISI chief - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

The UN commission probing the assassination of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto met Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha here as part of its investigation. According to insiders, President Asif Ali Zardari has also allowed the UN team to record the statement of Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and other senior military officers. The military officers had earlier expressed some reservations, but they agreed to meet the team after their concerns were addressed, The Dawn reports. The terms of reference of the UN Commission clearly states that the commission can interview anyone, including top military and political leaders. Zardari met the three-member UN team and assured them of all help in their probe. Talking to media persons after the meeting, presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said Zardari told the UN officials that people in Pakistan want to know the truth and the motive behind Benazir's killing. "The stature of Bhutto called for an independent, transparent and above-board investigation so that no accusation of bias of any kind could be made by any circle," Babar quoted Zardari, as saying. The commission, which began its work on July 1, was mandated to submit its report identifying facts and circumstances concerning Bhutto's tragic death on December 27, 2007 to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon by December, 31 ,2009. However, last month, the commission had sought an extension on grounds that its work has been affected by the chaos in Pakistan. This request has been accepted and it is now expected to submit its report in March.