A UN spokesman Tuesday rejected reports that the independent commission probing the assassination of former Prime Minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had been denied access to certain personalities, saying the investigators were satisfied with the co-operation extended by the Pakistan government.
"There were no restrictions on the team's access," Spokesman Martin Nesirky said in response to a question at the regular noon briefing. "They (the investigating team members) say that they are pleased by the co-operation of the Pakistani authorities," he added.
Last week Naheed Khan, Ms Bhutto's political secretary, had criticised the government for allegedly denying the UN team access to certain personalities. As regards the three-month extension sought by the three-member commission for completing its probe, the spokesman said the security situation in Pakistan was indeed complex, but he has nothing specific on it. The commission, which began its work on July 1, was mandated to submit its report to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon by December 31, 2009.