Correction For The Record: False Statements Concerning Assassination of Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto

April 21, 2010

Islamabad - During the past week, on Express and Aaj-TV, Lt. Gen. (retd) Hamid Gul has repeatedly asserted the outrageous and baseless claim that the United States Government was involved in the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

The United States rejects this, and other false allegations regularly made by Lt. Gen. (ret) Gul about its policies and activities.  At the time of Ms. Bhutto's murder, the U.S. swiftly and publicly condemned the act and called for an independent investigation.

Despite the fact that Mr. Gul gave no proof for his allegations against the United States, his statements were not challenged by any of the TV hosts who invited him to their programs.  TV stations and the anchors have the same obligations as other journalists -- to present the public with balanced views, to question unsubstantiated allegations by guests and to reject incitement.