Shaheed Benazir Bhutto

The UN probe into the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto has hit a road block as the government denied access to the incumbent Army Chief and other top serving military generals for interrogation.

The UN had appointed a three-member inquiry commission to determine the facts and circumstances under which Bhutto was assassinated on December 27, 2007.

According to the terms of reference of the investigation, the UN had demanded that the commission should enjoy compelete cooperation from the government.

The commission wanted access to the Chief of Army Staff Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, former ISI Chief Lt.Gen Nadeem Taj and former Military Intelligence Chief Lt.Gen Nadeem Ejaz Mian among other top officials of the intelligence agencies.

The UN probe commission’s terms of reference said ‘the government shall comply with the requests of the commission for assistance in collecting the required information and testimony, and shall provide it with the necessary facilities to enable it to discharge its mandate.’

A top government official confirmed to us that a written request had been received from the UN commission to interrogate military officials, including the incumbent Army Chief during the investigation process.

The official added that it was after thorough consultation by the government that the UN commission was informed in writing that access to abovementioned officials cannot be granted to them.