Pakistan dismisses mandate on Indian lawyers for Kulbhushan Jadhav: Pakistani media

On Thursday, Pakistan dismissed request to allow Indian lawyers access to Kulbhushan Jhav, who was captured by Pakistan Army in 2017, local Pakistani media reported. As per local media reports in Pakistan, country will have to amend its laws to allow Indian counsel for Kulbhushan Jhav, and authorities have w ruled out possibility, in what is a violation of ICJ verdict. 

However, Pakistani authorities have t revealed anything about development and, in fact, Pakistan foreign office spokesperson Zahid Hafeez h said on Thursday that Imran Khan-led country has hered to ruling of ICJ.

This comes after Ministry of External Affairs in its weekly press conference on Thursday said that it has maintained its position on providing unimpeded consular access, an Indian lawyer to Kulbhushan Jhav, and a "free and fair" trial. MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said that India was in touch with Pakistani authorities. "We continue to be in touch with Pakistan through diplomatic channels. We have raised with Pakistan that certain basic issues need to be dressed like providing unconditional, unimpeded consular access to him, provision of basic documents and appointment of an Indian lawyer to ensure free and fair trial."

RE | MEA affirms 'diplomatic' contact with Pak demanding Indian lawyer for Kulbhushan Jhav

Pakistan has promulgated 'International Court of Justice Review and Reconsideration Ordinance 2020' permitting review of a military court's decision at Islamab High Court after ICJ verdict. In its verdict dated July 17, 2019, International Court of Justice asked Pakistan to effectively review and reconsider retired Indian Navy officer's sentence and conviction. However, if report in Pakistani media stands true, this is a gross violation of ICJ ruling. India is yet to respond on development. 

Earlier on September 3, Islamab High Court on Thursday directed Imran Khan-led government to give India ar chance to appoint a legal representative for Kulbhushan Jhav. A bench comprising Chief Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Amir Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb journed hearing of matter until October 3. During hearing, Pakistan's Attorney General Khalid Javed Khan argued that India h t responded to offer for appointing a lawyer despite granting consular access to Jhav. 

RE | Islamab HC reiterates India's right to appoint Kulbhushan Jhav's lawyer;case journed

Kulbhushan Jhav case

Jhav, a former Indian Navy officer-turned-privateer who was working in Iran was abducted by Pakistan in March 2016. After a Kangaroo military court awarded him a death sentence on charges of espion and terrorism in 2017, India moved ICJ. In its judgment, ICJ stayed Jhav's death sentence until review and reconsideration of his sentence and conviction is completed. ditionally, ICJ directed Pakistan to allow India consular access to Jhav. 

On July 16, Pakistan once again failed to fulfill its obligations pertaining to ICJ verdict by t providing unimpeded, unhindered, and unconditional access to Jhav. MEA stated that Pakistani officials with an intimidating demeaur were present in close proximity to Jhav and consular officers. ting that retired Naval officer was under stress, MEA elaborated that arrangements did t permit a free conversation. After lodging a protest on farcical consular access provided by Pakistan, Indian consular officers left venue. 

RE | MEA repudiates Pakistan claim of reaching out for appointing Kulbhushan Jhav's lawyer

RE | Islamab HC to take up petition seeking defense counsel for Kulbhushan Jhav on Thursday