New Delhi, September 12: Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal on Thursday said that there will be no second consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav. Jadhav, 49, was sentenced to death by Pakistan military court on the charges of "espionage and terrorism." The Indian National has been lodged in a Pakistani jail since 2016. Kulbhushan Jadhav Under Pressure to Parrot Pakistan's False Narrative: MEA.
On September 2, Pakistan had granted the first consular access to the Kulbhushan Jadhav in line with "the Vienna Convention and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) verdict." The Indian diplomat, Gaurav Ahluwalia met Jadhav at a sub-jail for an hour. The meeting was in presence of the Pakistani officials despite India's objection.
Tweet by ANI:
Dr Mohammad Faisal, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan: There would be no second consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/zthz4Zewfh
— ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2019
On August 2, New Delhi had asked Islamabad to provide "unimpeded consular access" to Jadhav, in an environment "free from the fear of intimidation and reprisal", after neighbouring nation said it has sent a proposal allowing consular access to the former Indian Naval officer.
The International Court of Justice in its judgment on July 17 had put on continued stay death sentence handed to Jadhav by a Pakistani military court for alleged spying. The ICJ had asked Islamabad to immediately notify Jadhav of his rights under "Article 36 of the Vienna Convention, and grant India consular access."
In its ruling, the ICJ had asked Pakistan to ensure "effective review and reconsideration of his conviction and sentences". Pakistan was directed to inform Kulbhushan of his rights under Article 36, grant consular access, and then review the case.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 12, 2019 01:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).