Pakistan pressured to admit false charges of spying on Jadhav: Foreign Ministry

(PTI) Islamabad / New Delhi, Ta. September 2, 2019, Monday

For the first time, Kulbhushan Jadhav received the convenience of a counselor in a Pakistani jail. Following the order of the International Court of Justice, the Pakistani government had to give Kulbhushan a counselor's facility. The high official of India met with Kulbhushan.

Gaurav Ahluwalia, the Indian Deputy High Commissioner based in Islamabad, was granted permission to meet Kulbhushan Jadhav in a Pakistani jail at a secret location. After the order of the International Court of Justice, finally the government of Pakistan was not released without giving counselor access to Kulbhushan Jadav. Finally, the Indian high-ranking official had a conversation with Kulbhushan Jadhav for about an hour and a half.

Before leaving to meet Kulbhushan, the Deputy High Commissioner had met with spokesman Mohammad Faisal at the Pakistan Foreign Ministry office. After that, the Deputy High Commissioner with Kulbhushan Jadav was allowed to meet in secret.

Earlier, the Pakistan Foreign Ministry had placed terms on the issue of counselor access to Kulbhushan, but India had rejected all the conditions and demanded Kulbhushan as counselor according to the rules of the international court.

After the meeting between the Deputy High Commissioner and Kulbhushan, the Foreign Ministry said that there was heavy pressure from the Pakistani government on Kulbhushan to admit the false allegations. It will be studied after a detailed report is made and the next step will be taken accordingly.

Retired Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav was arrested in Pakistan on charges of espionage and sentenced to death by hanging. India then challenged the case in international court.

The International Court stayed the judgment against Kulbhushan's death sentence and ordered the Pakistani government to facilitate Kulbhushan as a counselor, and to re-run the case in a fair, transparent manner.

Kulbhushan Jadhav: Timeline

* March 3, 2016: Indian Navy veteran arrested on charges of spying for Kulbhushan.

* April 10, 2017: Pakistan Army Court awarded death sentence to Kulbhushan Jadhav on charges of espionage.

* 8th May-2017: Indian Foreign Ministry files application in International Court of Justice on Kulbhushan Jadhav issue.

May 9, 2017: The International Court of Justice adjourns the death sentence of Kulbhushan.

* December 26, 2017: Kulbhushan visits his mother and wife in Pakistan jail.

* August 22, 2018: The Court of Justice takes the process for hearing the case, giving a further date.

July 17, 2019: International Court orders Pakistan to re-conduct the case in a neutral, transparent manner. Crop to facilitate counselor to Kulbhushan. Ordered the government.

* August 2, 2019: Provides conditions for Pakistan to facilitate counselor to Kulbhushan. The Indian Foreign Ministry dismissed the terms and demanded the convenience of a counselor unconditionally.

September 1, 2019: Without any conditions, Pakistan has to declare Kulbhushan as a counselor.

September 2, 2019: Deputy High Commissioner to India Gaurav Ahluwalia arrives to meet Kulbhushan's counselor for the first time.