Pakistan

National Assembly approves bill to review Kulbhushan Jadhav's conviction

  • During voting eight members of NA's Standing Committee on Law and Justice, voted for the bill while five were against it
Published October 22, 2020

The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Law and Justice has approved a government bill 'International Court of Justice (Review and Reconsideration) Ordinance' that seeks a review of the conviction of Indian spy Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav.

During voting eight of the members voted for the bill while five were against it. The members of Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) opposed the bill and termed it a National Reconciliation Ordina­nce (NRO).

Federal Minister for Law and Justice Farogh Naseem said the bill was introduced in compliance with directives of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). He warned that if the bill was not approved, then Pakistan could face sanctions for not complying with the ICJ’s verdict.

Naseem further said that India was looking for every excuse to file a contempt plea against Pakistan with the ICJ, and the country could face sanctions if the matter was referred to the United Nations Security Council.

On March 3, 2016, Jadhav was arrested from Balochistan on allegations of espionage and terrorism. He later confessed his involvement in terrorist activities inside Pakistan and also made important revelations about RAW’s role in sponsoring state terrorism in Pakistan.

He was sentenced to death by a Field General Court Martial. In 2019, the ICJ ruled that Jadhav be allowed consular access immediately. The court also asked Pakistan to ensure effective review and reconsideration of his conviction and sentences.

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