I am delighted that I am finally visiting Pakistan for the first time as Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Pakistan has a significant role to play in promoting peace and understanding between countries and among faiths. Your election as President has provided new promise to the people of Pakistan. The international community appreciates your steadfast commitment to democracy and your emphasis on peaceful dialogue. I am here to convey the best wishes and congratulations of the United Nations to the people and government of Pakistan, and the President and leadership of Pakistan. We recognize your efforts to combat extremism and intolerance.

We know the path is not easy to navigate, and there are many obstacles to negotiate, but we have faith in your ability to stay the course.

Please know that the United Nations stands ready at all times to support you in your endeavours to promote good relations with your neighbours, resolve difficult issues, bring peace to the region and achieve sustainable development for your people.

Allow me to also express gratitude for your strong and continued support for United Nations peacekeeping operations around the world. Whatever challenges you have faced at home, you have consistently honoured your duties as a member of the international community.

Pakistan''s contribution of military personnel, including doctors and paramedics, to the joint African Union-United Nations peacekeeping mission in Darfur is just the latest example of a long and distinguished record of support for the United Nations. I sincerely hope that the Pakistan government will continue to provide strong commitment for peace and stability for the world. It will boost the safety of United Nations personnel and the people of Darfur alike.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Visiting this great country, as Secretary-General of the United Nations, I humbly pay my deepest tribute to the late Prime Minister Madame Benazir Bhutto who has a made a great, great contribution to the democracy and well being, and development of its people. She has been respected as one of the most great states person in the world. I only hope that she could be with us today, seeing this country prosper democratically and economically. In this regard, I'&#39d like to inform you on the establishment of the Inquiry Commission on the assassination of Madame Benazir Bhutto. <p><p><p> <p><p><p> I have been in consultation with the Government of Pakistan on its request for the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry on the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. This is a crime that shocked and offended the world, and I know this is a matter of great importance to the government and people of Pakistan. On the basis of our extensive consultations with the Government of Pakistan and Members of the Security Council, I intend to establish very shortly an independent Commission of Inquiry, headed by a very distinguished person whom I&#39&#39m going to nominate in a very short period of time.<p><p><p> An exchange of letters between myself and the President of the Security Council has taken place. I will move quickly to proceed with the security and technical assessment needed to process and establish this commission. And I thank very much for the support of the Government of Pakistan in this regard, and we will spare no efforts to establish this commission whereby we can find all the facts into the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.<p><p><p> <p><p><p> Thank you very much, and lastly I&#39&#39d like to express my sincere appreciation to President [Asif Ali] Zardari, and the Prime Minister and people of Pakistan for your warmest support and strong commitment for the peace and stability of the world. I wish continued success and prosperity, and democracy of this great country of Pakistan.<p><p><p> <p><p><p> Thank you very much.<p><p><p> </table> </table> </BODY></HTML>