The terms of reference of the commission of inquiry included freedom of access to all sources of information, including documentary material and physical evidence, freedom to interview representatives of governmental, spokesperson to the President, Farhatullah Babar said.

ISLAMABAD: The members of UN Commission on Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto today called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr today.

Interior Minister Mr. Rehman A. Malik, Secretary General to the President Mr. Salman Faruqui, Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar and other senior officials were also present during the meeting.
           
Briefing the media, spokesperson to the President, Farhatullah Babar said that the President welcoming the members of the Commission remarked that the whole nation awaits findings of the Commission so that the causes and the circumstances that led to such a great loss for the nation could be completely unearthed.

The stature of Shaheed Benazir 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, the President said.

Farhatullah Babar said that the terms of reference of the commission of inquiry included freedom of access to all sources of information, including documentary material and physical evidence, freedom to interview representatives of governmental, as well as other institutions and, in principle, any individual whose testimony is considered necessary for the fulfillment of its mandate besides privileges, immunities and facilities necessary for the independent conduct of the inquiry.

“In particular, members of the Commission shall enjoy the privileges and immunities accorded to experts on missions under article VI of the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, and to officials under articles V and VII of the Convention,” Babar said.

The Commission was to submit its report to the UN Secretary General within six months from the start of its investigation.

However, the time period for completing the task was subsequently extended by three months as the report could not be completed in the initially stipulated timeframe. The Commission will submit its report to the UN Secretary General and also share it with the Government of Pakistan, the Spokesperson said.