Kulbhushan Jadhav was involved in terror activities in Pakistan, death sentence as per law of land: Sartaj Aziz

Sartaj Aziz also alleged that India has not allowed consular access to many Pakistani prisoners for many years despite repeated requests.

NEW DELHI: After death sentence to Indian national by Pak military court sparked angry reaction from India, Pakistan on Friday said Kalbhushan Yadav was involved in terrorism and he possessed two passports. Addressing the media foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz said, "Kulbhushan Jadhav, who is responsible for espionage, sabotage and terrorism in Pakistan has been tried according to the law of the land, in a fully transparent manner while preserving his rights." "We condemn the baseless allegations from India, especially in the light of the fact that it was non-cooperation and lack of Indian response to Pakistan's request for legal assistance, due to which consular access was not provided to Jadhav." he added. He also alleged that India has not allowed consular access to many Pakistani prisoners for many years despite repeated requests. Aziz slammed India's claim that Jadhav, a former naval officer, was captured in Iran. Aziz in fact claimed that Jadhav is a serving Indian naval officer. "It's all rhetoric that he was captured in Iran. He has the right to file a review in the Supreme Court and also file a mercy petition to the Army Chief and the President in 40 days." Aziz also said that Indian statements on the issue could lead to diplomatic tensions. "We should respect each others' sovereignty." On Thursday, Pakistan's top military Generals decided not to make any "compromise" on the death sentence given to Indian national Kulbushan Jadhav on spying charges, notwithstanding India's stern warning that his hanging will have serious consequences on the bilateral ties. The decision was made at a Corps Commanders' conference presided over by Army Chief General Qamar Bajwa at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, the military's media wing Inter- Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. The Generals were briefed about Jadhav and it was concluded that "no compromise shall be made on such anti-state acts", the statement said. The Corps Commanders' conference is a key high-level forum in which all corps commanders and principal staff officers take part. Its decisions are announced through brief statements but they are considered very important. The death sentence to Jadhav, 46, was confirmed by army chief Gen Bajwa after the Field General Court Martial found him guilty of "espionage and sabotage activities" in Pakistan. Jadhav an innocent Indian: MEA MEA official spokesperson Gopal Bagley on Wednesday said Jadhav is an innocent Indian who is a retired officer of the Indian Navy and these two things were conveyed to Pakistan in March 2016. On reports of Jadhav carrying a fake passport, Baglay said, "We cannot ascertain anything since we did not have any consular access. Which kind of spy keeps an original passport with him so I have my doubts on any allegation of his being a spy...We need to know how he came to be in Pakistan in the first place." India has been maintaining that Jadhav, who had legal business interest in Iran, was kidnapped by Pakistan authorities. The trial of Jadhav was opaque and farcical, no due process was followed and all legal and international norms were defied, Baglay said. The issue has triggered a fresh tension in Indo-Pak ties and India has warned Pakistan of the "consequences" Jadhav's hanging could have on their ties and vowed to go "out of the way" to save him amid pervasive outrage in the country. (with agencies input)