Top foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz also warned India to stop issuing “rhetorical statements” against Islamabad over the issue
ISLAMABAD (IANS) — Pakistan on Friday said that alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav was sentenced according to the country’s law and he has 40 days to file an appeal in the apex court.
Top foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz also warned India to stop issuing “rhetorical statements” against Islamabad over the issue.
“He was sentenced as per the law of the land.. He (Jadhav) was involved in subversive activities in Pakistan, and was holding two passports, for which India has no answer.”
Aziz slammed India’s claim that Jadhav, a former naval officer, was captured in Iran. Aziz in fact claimed that Jadhav is a serving Indian naval officer.
“It’s all rhetoric that he was captured in Iran. He has the right to file a review in the Supreme Court and also file a mercy petition to the Army Chief and the President in 40 days.”
Aziz also said that Indian statements on the issue could lead to diplomatic tensions. “We should respect each others’ sovereignty.”
India has said if Pakistan goes ahead with the hanging of Jadhav, it would amount to premeditated murder.
India Seeks Consular Access, Denied
The Indian High Commission in Islamabad on Friday sought consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav but was denied for the 14th time, envoy Gautam Bambawale said.
“We demanded a meeting (with Jadhav), but they denied,” Bambawale told reporters after meeting Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua here.
India said it has sought consular access to Jadhav 13 times earlier, but was refused each time.
Asked about the case of a former Pakistani military officer who is reported to have been abducted in Lumbini, Nepal, last week, Bambawale said he has “no knowledge” about the issue.
The Indian envoy retorted that the question on the disappearance of Lt. Col Habib Zahir should be asked to the Pakistan Army. “They know better about his whereabouts,” he said.
Earlier, Sartaj Aziz in his press briefing said that consular access can not be provided in “espionage cases”.
