Pakistan Views

A US House of Representatives passed a resolution on Tuesday introduced by a top Democratic congressman has commended the Pakistani government’s decision to get Scotland Yard’s help in probing last month’s martyrdom of former opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.

The resolution, tabled by Congressman Gary Ackerman, who chairs the House subcommittee on Foreign Affairs for South Asia, and co-sponsored by 16 other members from both Democratic and Republican parties, is likely to be approved by the House on Wednesday.

The bipartisan group of lawmakers expressed support for Pakistan’s pursuit of those responsible for the martyrdom of Pakistan’s former prime minister and condemning the martyrdom in strongest terms offer condolences to the Benazir’s family and other families affected by the Dec. 27, 2007 tragedy.

It “commends the government of Pakistan for accepting” Scotland Yard expertise in the investigation and “welcomes the provision of assistance by the United Kingdom.”

The legislators also voice support for “efforts by Pakistan to expeditiously bring to justice those who have perpetrated this cruel and cowardly attack.” The bipartisan measure “urges the people and Government of Pakistan to be relentless in its pursuit of a democratically-elected government, including the holding of free and fair elections.”

The resolution reaffirms the United States’ commitment to assist Pakistan in combating terrorism.

The co-chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party Asif Ali Zardari has rejected to hold talks with President Musharraf for power sharing.

Talking to a US TV channel on Tuesday, Asif Ali Zardari laid blame on the government that it is trying to postpone the elections by creating lawlessness and mayhem in the country.

He said that the objective of carrying out bombing in Karachi and other cities is to prevent international observers from monitoring of polling.

He said that the team of Scotland Yard will also hold a meeting with him.

Answering a question about the postmortem of Benazir Bhutto, Zardari said that it will be seen in this regard that what the Scotland team says.

Six members of the Scotland Yard team investigating B-B’s assassination have left Pakistan for London with a large collection of forensic evidence and videotapes for further examination.

Meanwhile, the remaining group of 4 investigators have visited Military Hospital in Rawalpindi and examined the head of the alleged suicide bomber.

Yesterday, the team had also visited the Liaquat Bagh and the Rawalpindi General Hospital.

Source said more investigative officials are expected to arrive in Pakistan in the next few days.

The flight carrying detectives of Scotland Yard investigating into the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, back to home, was delayed due to technical fault.

The Scotland Yard team members were returning back to home in British Airways flight 128 after carrying out the probe.

Two investigators are still staying in Islamabad for further investigations.

According to the sources the British investigators visited the crime scene thrice and collected some clues from the spot. They would now compile preliminary report of their investigations.

Visiting foreign minister of Norway Jonas Gahr has said assassination of Benazir Bhutto was not only a great loss for the Peoples Party but also for the country.

In his visit of the central secretariat of Peoples Party in Islamabad he said that the general elections to be held next month, should be completely transparent and according to international standards.

During the visit Norwegian foreign minister wrote comments about Benazir Bhutto in a condolence book.

The PPP leaders briefed the visiting dignitary about the party’s demand of timely and transparent general elections in Pakistan.

Talking to the media later Jonas Gahr Store said Pakistan has been in the international spotlight and Norway also monitoring the situation in the country.

He called for free and fair elections in Pakistan saying that the entire world looking at the process.

Foreign Office of Pakistan said on Wednesday that the government was ‘open to receiving assistance from outside’ in the investigation into the martyrdom of former premier minister Benazir Bhutto.

“The government is committed to a thorough and transparent investigation and is open to receiving assistance from outside,” Foreign Office spokesman Mohammed Sadiq told reporters.

He said visiting French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner had offered help with the probe on Wednesday, while the United States and Britain had already told Pakistan that they could assist in the investigation.

President Pervez Musharraf has faced calls from Benazir’s Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) as well as some political figures in the United States, which counts the president as a crucial ally in the “war on terror”, for an international investigation.

Government officials have previously rejected an international inquiry.

The interior ministry on Saturday said that Pakistan did not require foreign help, saying that the international community “does not understand the environment” in the country.