Pakistan Army on Wednesday rejected speculations for any amendment in Pakistan Army Act to implement the International Court of Justice (ICJ) verdict regarding convicted Indian terrorist Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav.
In a tweet Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor said: "Speculations for amendment in Pak Army Act to implement ICJ verdict regarding convicted Indian terrorist Commander Kulbushan Jadhav are incorrect."
It was speculated that Pakistan's government had prepared a draft to amend Army Act for allowing Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav a right to file an appeal in a civilian court against his conviction.
The DG ISPR while refuting the speculation said that various legal options for review and reconsideration of the case are being considered. He said final status shall be shared in due course of time.
Previously, Jadhav was allowed to meet India Charge d'Affaires in Pakistan Gaurav Ahluwalia, pursuant to the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), for two hours.
In September last, Pakistan formally granted the consular access to the Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav. Indian deputy high commissioner met the RAW agent at a sub-jail in Islamabad. The Foreign Office's officials were also present during the meeting.
On July 17, ICJ rejected its plea for annulment of conviction of Indian terrorist Kulbhushan Jadhav, his release and return to India in The Hague.
Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf, president of the ICJ, read out the verdict that also rejected several proposals presented by Kulbhushan Jadhav.
The court also asked Pakistan to give the consular access to Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav. "Pakistan and India are parties in the Vienna Convention which does not deprive a spy of consular access. However, he will remain in the custody of Pakistan," it ruled.
The judge remarked that there is no doubt Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav is an Indian citizen. "The conviction of Kulbhushan Jadhav cannot be considered the violation of Article 36 of the Vienna Convention," it ruled. Attorney General Anwar Mansoor had led the Pakistan delegation.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2019