The investigation into the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto could cost Pakistan up to $100 million and take up to 14 months to complete, a media report said on Wednesday.
Pakistan has assured the United Nations that it will provide all the money needed to investigate the assassination of Bhutto. The assurance was given by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi during a meeting with UN officials, Dawn newspaper has reported.
A probe commission would report to both the government of Pakistan and UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. Pakistan has not asked for the involvement of UN Security Council in the investigation.
Bhutto was killed in a suicide attack after an election rally in Rawalpindi on December 27.
"There is no need to refer the request to the Security Council," Qureshi told reporters after his meeting with UN officials.
An investigation, sought by the UN Security Council, would have been funded by the world body. The investigation into the murder of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Harriri has so far cost $350 million.
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