'Pakistanis confined in Indian jails not provided consular access'
- By Web Desk -
- Apr 15, 2017
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua on Friday said the Pakistanis locked up in Indian prisons have not been provided consular access for years, despite repeated requests and follow-up by the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.
This she said while, in a meeting, Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale raised the issue of the Indian serving Naval Officer and Research & Analysis Wing agent Commander Kulbhushan Jhadav.
Jhadav, who was arrested in Pakistan for espionage and sabotage activities, has been handed down death sentence by the military court.
The Indian naval officer was arrested in Balochistan last year. He had confessed to committing and planning subversive activities inside Pakistan.
Read More: India says will ‘explore all options’ to bring spy Kulbhushan Jhadav back
The foreign secretary said that the trial against Jhadav was conducted under the Pakistan Army Act 1952 and Official Secret Act of 1923.
“Commander Jhadev was caught red-handed in Pakistan for his involvement in espionage, terrorist and sabotage activities in Pakistan. Jhadev himself has acknowledged his involvement in subversive activities against the State of Pakistan,” she said.
Tehmina Janjua stressed that during the period of trial, due judicial process was followed and the Indian spy was provided a lawyer in accordance with relevant laws and the constitution of Pakistan.
She said that the rhetoric in the Indian Parliament was un-warranted and only added to fueling hatred against Pakistan which was not conducive for promoting cordial ties between the two countries, in accordance with our Prime Minister’s vision for peace in the region.