Islamabad, November 13: The Pakistan Army on Wednesday rejected the media reports claiming that the Imran Khan government is mulling to amend its Army Act. According to reports, the new amendment would have given former Indian Naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav the right to appeal against his conviction in a civilian court. Rejecting the reports, Pakistan Army spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor termed the reports as mere "speculations". Pakistan Mulls Amending Its Army Act As per ICJ Conditions, Kulbhushan Jadhav Can File Appeal in Civilian Court After Amendments.

Maj Gen Ghafoor in a tweet said, “Speculations for amendment in Pakistan Army Act to implement ICJ verdict regarding convicted Indian terrorist Cdr Kulbushan Jadhav are incorrect." He further added, “Various legal options for review and reconsideration of the case are being considered. Final status shall be shared in due course of time.” Kulbhushan Jadhav Verdict: Truth And Justice Prevailed, Tweets PM Narendra Modi on ICJ Judgment Favouring India.

DG ISPR's tweet:

Earlier in the day reports surfaced that once the Army Act, which falls under Section 133, is amended by Pakistan, it would open the door for India to provide legal aid to Jadhav. Currently, the Section 133 of the Pakistani Army Act provides provision for the appeal but only in a "Court of Appeals comprising the Chief of the Army Staff..." or the court of appeals consisting of Brigadier or Major General but can't appeal in a civilian court.

The 49-year-old former Indian Naval officer was sentenced to death by Pakistan military court on the charges of "espionage and terrorism". However, India has rejected these charges. Jadhav has been lodged in a Pakistani jail since 2016. In July this year, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) had directed Pakistan to review the death sentence of Jadhav.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 13, 2019 08:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).