'Pakistan must allow Indian lawyer or Queen's Counsel to represent Kulbhushan Jadhav': MEA

Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday stressed that Pakistan should allow an Indian lawyer of Queen's Counsel to represent Kulbhushan Jhav for a free and fair trial. dressing media, MEA official spokesperson Anurag Srivastava stated that Pakistani government h failed to fulfill its obligation to sincerely implement ICJ verdict. He also urged Imran Khan-led government to provide all relevant documents of case and facilitate unconditional consular access to Jhav.

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 are completed. ditionally, ICJ directed Pakistan to allow India consular access to Jhav. 

MEA official spokesperson Anurag Srivastava remarked, " government of Pakistan has t been able to fulfill its obligations to implement ICJ judgment in its letter and spirit. re are some basic issues which y need to dress: one, provision for all relevant documents of this case, to provide for unimpeded and unconditional consular access to Kulbhushan Jhav and appointment of an Indian lawyer or a Queen’s Counsel to ensure that trial is free and fair."

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Pakistan extends ordinance

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 ICJ in Kulbhushan Jhav case. On September 3,  Islamab High Court directed Imran Khan-led government to give India ar chance to appoint a legal representative for 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. On September 14, Pakistan's National Assembly extended 'International Court of Justice (Review and Re-consideration) Ordinance 2020' through a voice vote for 4 months.

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