Pakistan Views

Seasoned diplomats and experts of international affairs say the United Nations probe into Benazir’s murder will have serious ramifications for Pakistan’s sovereignty, security and integrity. In an interview, former Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri strongly opposed such move and said though Benazir’s assassination is a national tragedy, yet he believes that petitioning the UN to investigate the murder would have far-reaching implications for our national interest.He argued if Pakistan makes a petition to the World Body, the UN Secretary General would send the request to the Security Council which would adopt a resolution and set up a body to hold an inquiry. He pointed out that the investigation team could ask for access to areas, matters and individuals, which could be highly damaging to Pakistan’s interest.Kasuri recalled that India had called for UN Security Council intervention for resolution of Kashmir dispute, which is still binding on India and is a hurdle in its attempt to become a member of the Security Council. Some analysts say Zardari demanded the UN investigation at a time when PPP was in opposition. Now it has come into power and has full access to all the evidence and all government agencies are at its disposal, therefore, instead of approaching the UN, it should itself reinvestigate the murder and punish the criminals. “In doing so the PPP government can ask for external expertise without infringing upon the country’s sovereignty, integrity and security,” they emphasised. It has also been reported that the foreign secretary and Pakistan mission at the United Nations has also opposed such a move as it was likely to fail and put friendly countries in an awkward situation. However a former foreign minister of Bhutto era and a sitting PPP MNA, Sardar Asif Ahmad Ali has argued that the government could make a request to UN with a limited and specified terms of reference (TOR) of the inquiry commission. He opined that the credible UN inquiry report would satisfy the masses. Some analysts say that such a move by the government would open a Pandora’s box. The Balochistan Assembly has already adopted a resolution that the United Nation should inquire into the assassination of Nawab Akbar Bugti and other Baloch nationalist leaders. Not to be left behind and be counted, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Quaid Altaf Hussain, sitting in London, has also demanded that UN International Court of Justice be requested to investigate the 1992 tragic incidents and military action in Karachi and Hyderabad by the PPP government.