The son of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto called
on Tuesday for an UN-sponsored investigation into her slaying.
"The family's and party's request is for an UN-sponsored
investigation, because we do not believe that an investigation
under the authority of the Pakistan government has the necessary
transparency," Bilawal Bhutto Zardari told a news conference.
"Already so much forensic evidence has been destroyed," he
said.
Bilawal Bhutto was named as his mother's successor as chairman
of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) following the opposition
leader's assassination in the eastern Pakistani city of Rawalpindi,
some 30 km south of the capital Islamabad, on Dec. 27.
The 19-year-old Zardari, a law student at Oxford University,
also said he wanted to continue his studies before starting his
political career, and he urged the media to leave him alone while
he studies.
"Although I admit that my experience to date is limited, I
intend to learn," he said, adding "However, my immediate priority
is to return to Oxford to continue my studies."
"When I am at Oxford I hope I can be left alone," he said,
adding that his father would be in charge of the party during his
absence.
British police are now in Pakistan to assist the probe into
Bhutto's assassination in a suicide attack that also killed over 20
people and wounded dozens more.
Bhutto's death triggered turmoil in Pakistan and postponed the
elections slated for January.
(Xinhua News Agency January 9, 2008)