Probe into Pak troops' trafficking of arms to be over soon

The UN internal watchdog has almost completed inquiry into the allegations that Pakistani troops serving in peacekeeping operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) trafficked in arms for gold.

The United Nations internal watchdog has almost completed inquiry into the allegations that Pakistani troops serving in peacekeeping operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) trafficked in arms for gold in 2005-2006 and thus helped rearm the militias groups they were expected to disarm.

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Though both the United Nations and Pakistan have denied the allegations which, if proved, could be highly embarrassing for both, Human Rights Watch says that it has solid information that Pakistani military officers were involved in smuggling of between USD two to five million worth gold from Itrui district in Eastern Congo.

In a highly cautious reaction to reports emanating from Congo, the United Nations said that Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) is "currently conducting" an investigation into allegations that in 2005-2006 a "contingent serving with the UN Mission in Congo was involved in mineral resources exploration and weapons trading in the town of Mongwalu in Ituri District of Eastern DRC."

"The battalion that was investigated, the group that was there at the time, was on a rotating basis and had already left when the investigation started. And there will be measures taken as soon as there is a result of the investigation," Chief UN spokesperson Michele Montas said.

But it was not clear what exactly the world body could do now since the personnel against whom allegations were made have already left.