Sartaj: Kulbushan tried in transparent manner

• Adviser reads out a strong-worded charge-sheet against Indian agent, asks tough questions to India

Reading out a strong-worded charge-sheet against Indian intelligence officer Kulbushan Jhadav, Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Friday put half a dozen tough questions to the Indian government, asking New Delhi to stop misleading the world on the sentence to its state actor.

India has time and again argued why a spy would carry an identity card along while on a mission in Pakistan. However, Sartaj’s comprehensive rejoinder, a thorough timeline of events, measures indicating transparency in trial and facilitation provided to an accused involved in terrorism has almost nailed the Indian propaganda.

“I would like to ask India why Kulbushan Jhadav was using a fake identity impersonating as a Muslim. Why would an ‘innocent’ man possess two passports, one with a Hindu name and another with a Muslim name,” he asked while addressing a media briefing here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Since India has no credible explanation about why their serving naval commander was in Balochistan, it has unleashed a flimsy propaganda campaign. Inflammatory statements and rhetoric about ‘pre-meditated murder’ and ‘unrest in Balochistan,’ will only result in escalation, serving no useful purpose,” he remarked.

Sartaj also denounced the baseless allegations from India, especially in the light of the fact that it was non-cooperation and lack of Indian response to Pakistan’s request for legal assistance, due to which consular access has not been provided to the Indian agent.

“May I mention in this context that India has not allowed consular access to many Pakistani prisoners for many years despite repeated requests? We expect India to behave responsibly and refrain from issuing statements that will further aggravate people-to-people hostility,” he warned.

He shared details of some terrorist activities in which Jhadav was directly involved.

– He sponsored and directed IEDs and grenade attacks in Gwadar and Turbat.

• Directed attacks on the Radar station and civilian boats in the sea, opposite Jiwani Port.
• Funded subversive secessionist and terrorist elements through Hawala/Hundi for subverting the Pakistani youth against the country, especially in Balochistan.

– Sponsored explosions of gas pipelines and electric pylons in Sibi and Sui areas in Balochistan.

– Sponsored IED explosions in Quetta in 2015, causing massive damage to life and property.

– Sponsored attack on Hazaras in Quetta and Shia devotees enroute to and back from Iran.

– Abetted attacks through anti-state elements against LEAs/FC and FWO in areas of Turbat, Punjgur, Gawadar, Pasni and Jiwani during 2014-15, killing and injuring many civilians and soldiers.

He said that the court found Mr Jhadav guilty. The proceedings of this case went through different stages in accordance with legal requirements over a period of one year. He also announced the timeline of the proceedings;

1. Confessional statement under Section 164 CrPC – 22 July 2016
2. Recording of summary of evidence – 24 September 2016
3. 1st proceeding – 21 September 2016
4. 2nd proceeding – 19 October 2016
5. 3rd proceeding – 29 November 2016
6. 4th proceeding – 12 February 2017
7. Death sentence endorsed on 10 April 2017

Jhadav confessed before a magistrate and the court that he was tasked by the Indian intelligence agency to plan, coordinate and organise espionage and sabotage activities aimed at destabilising and waging war against Pakistan. The agent was involved in both espionage and terrorist/sabotage activities resulting in the loss of many lives and damage to property.

OPTIONS: The adviser said that as per law, Jhadav has available options. He has the right to appeal within 40 days to an appellate court. He may lodge a mercy petition to the army chief within 60 days of the decision by the court. He may lodge a mercy petition to the president within 90 days after the decision of the army chief on the mercy petition.

He said that the Letter of Assistance requesting specific information and access to certain key witnesses was shared with the Indian government on January 23, 2017. There has been no response from the Indian side so far, he concluded.