The United Nations is set to establish a commission to investigate the assassination of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
"The secretary-general is hopeful that, with the progression of the discussions, the commission could be established in the near future," said a statement issued by the office of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the first anniversary of Bhutto's assassination.
The assassination of the charismatic Bhutto took place at her campaign rally in Rawalpindi on Dec. 27, 2007 as she was once again running for prime minister.
After the killing and suspicions that the government was involved in the incident, former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf made a determined attempt to persuade the US and its European allies not to press for an independent investigation into the assassination.
In a January interview with the French newspaper Le Figaro, Musharraf said that UN involvement was out of the question, and that the investigation into Bhutto's murder would be handled internally with the help of the Scotland Yard.
The announcement by the UN comes as Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party had since her assassination called for a UN inquiry into the matter, saying that only the United Nations can carry out a credible investigation.
"The regime has lost all credibility," read a January statement issued by Bhutto's Party. "Neither a domestic inquiry nor vague foreign involvement when all traces of evidence have been systematically destroyed would lay to rest the lingering doubts and suspicions."
The UN chief later said that the request for starting a probe into the matter was under review. However, many analysts claimed that the world body was unlikely to undertake the mission.
"There's no international will for a UN investigation - my estimation is that the issue will just get stuck," said Arif Rafiq, a US-based policy consultant.
"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," the UN pledged in its statement.
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Topic: Musharraf departure allows UN Bhutto probe (Read 539 times)