Kulbhushan sponsored attacks on Hazara community, pilgrims coming from Iran: Aziz

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has asked India to “behave responsibly” over the issue of Kulbhushan Yadav and refrain from issuing statements that could aggravate people-to-people hostility.

Jhadav sponsored attacks on Hazara community and pilgrims enroute to and return from Iran, Aziz told a presser here.

He said Jhadav was tried under the law of the land in a fairly transparent manner and awarded punishment on the basis of credible and specific evidence of his involvement in financing terrorism and carrying out subversive activities in Pakistan.

He said Jhadav’s trial led to award of death penalty on espionage and subversion charges.

He said there was need to arrest growing crisis in Pakistan-India relations before it becomes serious.

The Adviser emphasized that all political parties of Pakistan are unanimous that award of death penalty after due process and overwhelming evidence against a foreign spy who carried out subversive activities and promoted terrorism is correct decision.

He said Letter of Assistance requesting specific information and access to certain key witnesses was shared with India in January this year. There has been no response from the Indian side so far.

The Adviser also shared details of terrorist attacks and acts of subversion carried out or sponsored by the RAW agent Kulbhushan in Balochistan resulting into loss of life and property.

Sartaj Aziz questioned that why the RAW agent was using fake identity impersonating as a Muslim and possessing two passports one with Hindu name and the other with Muslim name. He said since India had 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.

The Adviser on Foreign Affairs said a number of steps were taken during trial of Yadav to ensure transparency under Pakistani law and Pakistan Army Act. His confessional statement was recorded before a magistrate; a qualified officer was provided to defend him throughout proceedings; all statements of witnesses were recorded under oath in the presence of accused and Yadav was allowed to ask questions from witnesses. Punishment was awarded by highest forum.

About options available to Jhadav, he said the convict has right of appeal within forty days to an appellate court and he may lodge a mercy petition to the COAS within sixty days of the decision by the appellate court. He said he may lodge a mercy petition to the President of Pakistan within 90 days after the decision of COAS on the mercy petition.