United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon telephoned President Asif Ali Zardari, here Saturday night and emphasised the need for early release of the kidnapped UN official John Solecki, chief of UN High Commission for Refugees. The Secretary General also thanked the president for the warm hospitality extended to him during his visit.

Ban Ki-moon had paid a visit to Pakistan and had announced setting up of a UN commission to investigate the assassination of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. Matters relating to the setting up of the inquiry commission to investigate the assassination of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto were also briefly discussed during the telephone call.

The President assured the UN Secretary General that the government had taken a very serious view of the kidnapping of the UN official and had mobilised its resources for his early and safe recovery. The President also thanked the UN Secretary General for his positive role in the setting up of the UN Commission to investigate the facts and circumstances surrounding the assassination of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2009