ISLAMABAD: India has yet again sought consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav – the Indian spy sentenced to death for fomenting terrorism in Pakistan , as both sides exchanged lists of prisoners in each other’s custody the other day.
The lists were exchanged through diplomatic channels in line with the Consular Access Agreement between the two countries.
“India has again requested Pakistan to grant full and early consular access to Indian nationals in its custody, including Hamid Nehal Ansari and Jadhav,” read a statement issued by India’s external affairs ministry.
“India once again requests Pakistan for the early release and repatriation of Indian prisoners, missing Indian defence personnel and fishermen along with their boats whose nationalities have been confirmed by India,” the statement adds.
India approached the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in May against Jadhav’s execution after he was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court the month before. The ICJ ordered Pakistan to stay the execution until a final ruling.
Jadhav was arrested in Balochistan last year, who later confessed to espionage and terror activities in Pakistan. He was convicted by a court martial and sentenced to death.
A few weeks later, the army had released his recorded confessional statement in which he had admitted to have been working for India’s premier intelligence agency – the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) – to stoke unrest and instability in Pakistan. In a six-minute video, Jadhav confessed that he had been tasked to stir unrest in Balochistan and Karachi. India denies Jadhav was a RAW agent but admits that he was a retired naval officer.
In a second confessional video released last month, Jadhav expressed remorse at the loss of many precious innocent lives due to the terrorist and subversive activities he had been involved in. He also filed a mercy petition to Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, urging him to spare his life on ‘compassionate grounds’.
If the army chief rejects his appeal, Jadhav will still be able to file a mercy plea with the president of Pakistan.
