PML-N criticises govt for delaying UN report on BB probe

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Syed Zafar Ali Shah on Wednesday criticised the government for delaying the UN report on the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

Speaking on a point of order in Senate, he said the UN investigation commission was about to submit its report when President Asif Ali Zardari requested UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to delay the release of the report and he agreed. Shah said the Pakistani government spent a hefty amount on the investigation but he was unable to understand why the president requested for a delay in the report’s release. The Pakistani ambassador to the UN used all his resources to delay the release of the report, he added.

Meanwhile, Senator Khurshid Ahmad raised the issue of reported nepotism exercised by the Pakistani ambassador to Syria who allegedly appointed relatives at a Pakistani school in Syria. At this, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Malik Ammad said the Foreign Affairs Ministry has already initiated an investigation into the issue. Speaking on a point of order, Senator Shahid Bughti raised the issue of the deployment of Pakistan Navy personnel at the Gwadar Port for security duties.

Meanwhile, replying to a point of order, Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Khan Ghauri said that a summary has been moved to the prime minister for the appointment of 100 local youth to perform guard duties at the Gwadar port. Also, the House passed the Banks Nationalisation Amendment Bill 2004.