MEA busts Pak lie on Kulbhushan Jadhav's review plea, commits to bring him back safely

On Wednesday, July 8, Ministry of External Affairs lashed out at Pakistan for coercing Kulbhushan Jhav to refuse to file a review in his case. Maintaining that Pakistan's latest claim on Jhav was a continuation of farce in play for last 4 years, MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava stated that India h been repeatedly denied free and unimpeded access to retired Indian Naval officer. He also recalled that ordinance promulgated in Pakistan on May 20, 2020, allowing Islamab High Court to review death sentence awarded to Jhav was an "illusion of remedy".

MEA argued that content of ordinance violated ICJ judgment. Srivastava also decried fact that India's request for a lawyer from outside Pakistan to appear for Jhav in any review and reconsideration proceedings h been turned down by Pakistan. Highlighting that Imran Khan-led government h t handed over any relevant document including FIR, evidence, court order, etc. to India, MEA observed that Pakistan was attempting to create a "mir of compliance" with ICJ judgment. reafter, Srivastava reiterated that Indian government would consider all appropriate options to protect Kulbhushan Jhav and ensure his safe return to India.

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Pakistan's incredulous claim on Jhav

Speaking at a press conference arranged by Pakistan Foreign Ministry earlier in day, ditional Attorney General Ahmed Irfan mentioned that an ordinance promulgated in May h allowed Jhav, his legal representative, or a representative of Indian High Commission in Islamab to file a petition for review and reconsideration of his sentence and conviction. He said that this was on lines of ICJ verdict of July 2019. Ahmed claimed that Jhav h refused to file a review plea in Islamab High Court despite being invited by Pakistani authorities to do so on June 17. He ded that Jhav h inste preferred to follow up on his pending mercy petition.

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 verdict dated July 17, 2019, ICJ asked Pakistan to effectively review and reconsider Jhav's sentence and conviction. Moreover, Jhav's death sentence was stayed until completion of this process. ditionally, ICJ directed Pakistan to allow India consular access to Jhav. 

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