Kulbhushan Jadhav: Pak Rejects India’s Objections in 2nd ICJ Reply
Kulbhushan Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism.
Background
India had moved the ICJ in May last year after Jadhav, 48, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism.
A 10-member bench of the ICJ on 18 May had restrained Pakistan from executing Jadhav till adjudication of the case.
In its written pleadings, India had accused Pakistan of violating the Vienna Convention by not giving consular access to Jadhav arguing that the convention did not say that such access would not be available to an individual arrested on espionage charges.
In response, Pakistan through its counter-memorial on 13 December told the ICJ that the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations 1963 applied only to legitimate visitors and did not cover clandestine operations.
It also stated that "since Jadhav was on active duty, it is obvious that he was a spy sent on a special mission."
“Giving false identity to Kulbhushan, sending him for espionage and funding of terrorists activities are all some of the reasons which disentitle India from invoking the jurisdiction of the ICJ,” Pakistan had said.
India has been maintaining that the trial of Jadhav by a military court in Pakistan was "farcical".
Pakistan claims that its security forces arrested Jadhav from restive Balochistan province on 3 March, 2016 after he reportedly entered from Iran.
However, India maintains that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Navy. Jadhav's sentencing had evoked a sharp reaction in India.
India had approached the ICJ for "egregious" violation of the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963, by Pakistan in Jadhav's case.
Pakistan's Counter-Memorial Will Be in Response to Pleadings Filed by India
Pakistan's counter-memorial will be in response to pleadings filed by India in the Hague-based ICJ on 17 April, Foreign Office Spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal had told reporters at his weekly press briefing.
Top attorney Khawar Qureshi, who pleaded Pakistan's case at the initial stage, briefed Prime Minister Nasirul Mulk regarding the case last week, the Express Tribune reported.
Attorney General for Pakistan Khalid Javed Khan and other senior officials also attended the meeting.
A senior lawyer, who has expertise in international litigations, told the Pakistani daily that there is no chance of hearing the case this year.
Even the hearing of other matters has already been fixed until March/April next year, and therefore, Jadhav case will be listed in summer next year, he added.
Pakistan Rejects India's Objections in an Over 400-Page Reply
Pakistan on Tuesday, 17 July, rejected India's objections in the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav, in a reply that spanned over 400 pages, to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), diplomatic sources told Geo News.
According to the report, the reply, which is the first by Pakistan in counter-pleading and second overall in the case so far, was submitted by Foreign Office Director India, Dr Fareha Bugti. It was put together by a team of experts, which was reportedly led by the Pakistan attorney general.
The reply also comprised of detailed answers to India's submissions to the international court.
Pakistan, on Tuesday, 17 July, filed its second reply in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the conviction of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism.
According to several reports, Pakistan rejected the objections put forth by India in its submission to the international court.
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