Observer Report
Islamabad
The Islamabad High Court on Monday suggested that the government offer India and Indian spy Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav another opportunity to appoint a lawyer.
A two-member special bench comprising IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb was hearing the government’s plea seeking the appointment of a legal representative for Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav.
Attorney General of Pakistan Khalid Javed Khan appeared before the court on behalf of the government. He stated before the court that Jadhav was arrested on March 3, 2016 for entering Pakistan illegally. Jadhav confessed to his links with RAW, and his involvement in espionage and terror activities in Pakistan, according to the AGP.
Jadhav was convicted by a military court that sentenced him to death in 2017, and Jadhav’s appeal for mercy is pending before the Chief of Army Staff, said the Attorney General.
According to the Attorney General, in 2017 India approached the International Court of Justice and claimed that Jadhav was denied consular access. India accused Pakistan of violating the Vienna Convention and denying consular access to Jadhav, said the AGP.
The ICJ issued a restraining order on the death sentence that is applicable till date, he added.
In July 2019, the ICJ ruled that Pakistan must grant consular access to India without any delay and at the same called for the “effective review and reconsideration” of the Jadhav case.
At the court’s inquiry, the Attorney General of Pakistan said that Pakistan is abiding by all international laws. Pakistan has never violated international law, he said, adding that an ordinance has been issued in compliance with the ICJ’s ruling. If the accused cannot find a lawyer for himself, the court provides a lawyer for him to protect his rights, said the Attorney General of Pakistan.
