Followed rules, jail manual in Jadhav case, says Pak official

Smita Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 3

Notwithstanding a political row over the December 25 meeting between Kulbhushan Jadhav and his mother and wife in Islamabad, the possibility of another meeting with the family is not ruled out, say sources. 

However, Pakistan feels that its intention must be recognised that it allowed the family to ascertain that Jadhav is alive. 

A senior Pakistani official cited the 2008 Consular Access Agreement to claim it is not in violation of any law. The bilateral agreement says consular access must be provided “within three months to nationals of one country under arrest, detention or imprisonment in the other country”. However provision (vi) says, “In case of arrest, detention or sentence made on political or security grounds, each side may examine the case on its merits.” 

Pakistani government officials argue that Jadhav, convicted of espionage and terrorism, fits the latter and may not be allowed consular access, but is still being treated on humanitarian grounds. 

On the row over the change of attire and removal of mangalsutra, bindi and bangles by Jadhav’s mother Avanti and wife Chetna, the senior Pakistani official claimed “jail manual” and “mutually accepted rules” were followed.