Kulbhushan Jadhav case: Pakistan to make submission at ICJ today

HAGUE (92 News) – At the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Pakistan will make its submission in Indian Spy Kulbhushan Jadhav case on Tuesday. The four days hearing of the case will continue till Thursday and the Court is expected to announce its judgement by the summer this year. The Pakistani delegation is led by the Attorney General, Anwar Mansoor Khan. Pakistan will make its final submission on Thursday. India argues that Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav is an innocent businessman and he is entitled to obtain consular access. Pakistan points to evidence obtained from Commander Jadhav after his arrest, and during the criminal process leading to his conviction as amply demonstrating his activities in fomenting terrorism and engaging in espionage within Pakistan. Meanwhile, in a video message, Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal has said that India could not submit any substantial material at International Court of Justice in their demand for acquittal of Kulbhushan Jadhav. He said Indian side produced nothing new in their submission before the Court. The spokesperson said India Spy is involved in killing of thousands of people.

ICJ concludes first day hearing of case of Kulbhushan Jhadav

A day earlier, the ICJ concluded the first day hearing of the case of Indian Spy Kulbhushan Jhadav at Hague. During the hearing, the court asked the India to present their arguments on the case. However, India started arguments with blame game, accusing Pakistan of kidnapping Kulbhushan from Iran. His arguments centred around the Article 36 of the Vienna Convention. Pakistan has already stated that Kulbhushan is a spy and terrorist and the Vienna Convention is not applicable to him. The Indian council neither presented a proof of the fake passport of Kulbhushan nor did he proved him as a serving officer of Indian Navy. The Indian side arguments’ revolved around mere accusations. Earlier, Islamabad has presented evidence obtained from Commander Jadhav after his arrest, and during the criminal process leading to his conviction as amply demonstrating his activities in fomenting terrorism in Pakistan. Pakistan maintains that it would be incompatible with international law for someone sent as a spy/terrorist by a State to be afforded access to officials of that State, as India asserts. The ICJ has repeatedly stated that it is not a Criminal Court of Appeal and effective review of a conviction is available before the domestic Courts.

Pakistani delegation reaches The Hague

Earlier, ahead of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav case hearing at the ICJ due on Feb 18, Pakistani delegation reached The Hague on Friday for oral arguments. Attorney General Anwar Man­soor would lead the Pakistani delegation whereas Director General South Asia Dr Mohammad Faisal would lead the Foreign Office side. An Indian team will present its arguments on the case from February 18, while the Pakistani team will be given a chance to present their case on February 20. It was also reported that the Pakistani lawyers will submit their statement in response to India’s arguments on February 21. Attorney General and officials of Ministry of Law and Foreign Affairs will also attend the hearing. Former chief justice Tasadduq Jillani will perform his duties as adhoc judge, while Pakistan will respect the decision of the International Court of Justice. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will take up the case of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was sentenced to death by a military court on spying charges. “The ICJ will hear the case on daily basis for a week during February 19 to February 25, 2019.” In July, Pakistan Foreign Office’s Director in India Dr Fareha Bugti had submitted the 400-page document as Pakistan’s second rejoinder to India’s last reply on April 17. The rejoinder was prepared by a team of experts led by Attorney General Khalid Javed Khan. India had moved the ICJ in May 2017 after Jadhav, 48, was sentenced to death by a military court on charges of espionage. A 10-member bench of the international court on May 18 had restrained Pakistan from executing Jadhav till adjudication of the case.