- General Bajwa takes PM Nawaz into confidence over issue of Indian spy
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa agreed not to come under any pressure with regard to the matter of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav’s death sentence.
The meeting took place between Prime Minister Nawaz and the army chief during which General Bajwa took the prime minister into confidence regarding the issue of the Indian spy, who was awarded death penalty after being tried through the Field General Court Martial (FGCM) under the Pakistan Army Act (PAA).
During the meeting, matters pertaining to the national security also came under discussion and Gen Bajwa briefed the prime minister on ongoing Radd-ul-Fasaad operation. Nawaz hailed sacrifices rendered by the Pakistan Army and stated that the nation would achieve its goal of cleansing the state from terrorism.
He also expressed satisfaction at the achievements of Radd-ul-Fasaad operation. According to a PM House statement, matters pertaining to professional preparedness of the Pakistan Army, current security and border situation of the country were discussed during the meeting. The meeting comes following recent sentencing of the Indian spy, who was condemned to death on April 10.
Jadhav was arrested on March 3, 2016, through a counter-intelligence operation in Balochistan for his involvement in espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations.
Although the accused had been provided with a defending officer as per legal provisions, according to ISPR, Pakistan had turned down India’s request seeking consular access to Jadhav last year due to his involvement in subversive activities in the country.
Jadhav confessed before a magistrate and court that he was tasked by Indian spy agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) to plan, coordinate and organise espionage and sabotage activities seeking to destabilise and wage war against Pakistan through impeding the efforts of law enforcement agencies for the restoration of peace in Balochistan and Karachi, the ISPR said.
Following announcement, India summoned Pakistan’s High Commissioner to New Delhi Abdul Basit and handed over a demarche saying, “If this sentence against an Indian citizen, awarded without observing basic norms of law and justice, is carried out, the government and people of India will regard it as a case of premeditated murder.”
Experts view the military’s announcement about Jadhav’s trial and prosecution as an unprecedented move, viewing it as a strong message to India as well as other foreign intelligence agencies.
NAWAZ-ZAKAULLAH: Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah also called on Prime Minister Nawaz at the PM House, and apprised him on professional matters pertaining to the Pakistan Navy, during the meeting. The prime minister said that the Pakistan Navy has a significantly vital position in regard to national defence.
Appreciating the role of the Pakistan Navy in defending the maritime borders of the country, the Prime Minister said that his government is taking all possible steps to further enhance the professional capacities of Pak Navy.