Islamabad HC reiterates India's right to appoint Kulbhushan Jadhav's lawyer;case adjourned

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. 

Earlier, Pakistan promulgated 'International Court of Justice Review and Reconsideration Ordinance 2020' permitting review of a military court's decision at Islamab High Court. This ordinance came in wake of verdict of International Court of Justice in Kulbhushan Jhav case. In its verdict dated July 17, 2019, ICJ asked Pakistan to effectively review and reconsider retired Indian Navy officer's sentence and conviction.

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India has consistently demanded right to appoint an Indian legal counsel for Jhav. Speaking on this issue later in day, MEA official spokesperson Anurag Srivastava stated, "We are in touch with Pakistan through diplomatic channels on this matter. And government of India is taking all possible steps to ensure safety of Kulbhushan Jhav". 

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Kulbhushan Jhav case

Jhav having business dealings in Iran was abducted by Pakistan in March 2016. After a 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. 

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