Bhutto panel seeks deadline extension

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- A U.N. commission probing the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto needs more time to complete its work, sources say.

Citing unnamed sources, the government-backed Associated Press of Pakistan reported Wednesday that the three-member commission is asking for an additional three months beyond its mandated Dec. 31 deadline to produce a report for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

The commission, headed by Chile's Ambassador to the United Nations, Heraldo Munoz, began its investigation of the 2007 Bhutto assassination on July 1, but says it is being hampered by the security situation in Pakistan, APP reported.

Munoz had earlier hinted the report might be delayed, telling reporters, "We're working hard and advancing, but there is a great deal of work to be done."

The news service's sources said that once Islamabad agrees to the extension, the commission will ask Ban to extend its mandate.