PPP’s CEC keeps Benazir’s murder report under wraps

LAHORE – The Pakistan People’s Party central executive committee (CEC) on Sunday postponed bringing out the report on the investigation into the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, deciding to take up the report at the CEC’s next meeting, Law Minister Babar Awan said.
He said the president would announce the date of the next CEC meeting after holding consultations with party leaders. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will also be attending the next meeting, which will give a final approval to Benazir’s assassination report.
Talking to reporters about the decisions reached by the PPP CEC, Awan said the meeting was not briefed on progress so far made in the probe into BB’s murder due to the absence of PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
He said the CEC passed a unanimous resolution that stressed on continuing the policy of reconciliation with a renewed spirit, adding that the meeting decided that no provocative statements would be issued by the party in the future.
“The policy of reconciliation will now be pursued with a renewed spirit for further strengthening the democratic process in the country,” Awan said, adding that the mandate of every other party would be respected. The law minister said President Asif Ali Zardari had expressed the respect he held for Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Fazlur Rehman.
To a question on the reservations of the MQM, he said the matter was now with the president, “who is a fatherly figure for all”. He said the president would be shuffling the cabinet in the coming year, based strictly on performance and merit. Awan said the PPP was ready for local councilelections next year.
Earlier during the meeting, PPP Co-chairman Asif Zardari reiterated the party’s resolve to continue the policy of reconciliation in line with the vision of Benazir Bhutto. The PPP CEC paid rich tribute to the visionary leadership of Benazir Bhutto, with the Zardari saying he was following the policies and lessons of his late wife.
The president said Benzir’s murderers would be brought to book and directed PPP ministers to focus on the resolution of the masses’ problems and work to create more employment opportunities. Zardari said he knew there was poverty, unemployment and inflation, but the PPP government was trying to resolve these issues on priority. The PPP CEC also approved extending the circle of investigation into Benazir’s assassination.
Expressing satisfaction over the leadership of President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani, the CEC members gave the responsibility of bringing JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman back into the coalition government to the prime minister.
Earlier, Interior Minister Rehman Malik had said that the report on the assassination of Benazir Bhutto had been completed and would be discussed in the meeting of the PPP CEC.