Pak denies consular access to Jadhav

Islamabad/The Hague, Dec 13 

Pakistan today rejected India’s plea for consular access to death row prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav at the ICJ, claiming that New Delhi wants the access to get information gathered by its "spy".

In its counter-memorial submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Pakistan said the provision of such an access under the Vienna Convention is only for legitimate visitors and not for spies. Pakistan said that Jadhav is not an ordinary person as he had entered the country with the intent of spying and carrying out sabotage activities.

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Jadhav, 47, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism in April, following which India moved the ICJ. The ICJ halted his execution.

The Express Tribune said Pakistan will argue that sending Jadhav for espionage, funding terrorist activities are some of the reasons that disentitle India from invoking the jurisdiction of the ICJ. 

Last week, Pakistan granted permission to Jadhav’s mother and wife to meet him on December 25. An Indian diplomat would be allowed to accompany them. — PTI