FO defends legislation on convicted Indian spy

Pakistan on Thursday said that the legislation adopted by the joint session of the parliament Wednesday reaffirmed that the country continued to take its obligation with regard to the ICJ judgment “very seriously”.

“There is absolute clarity on the legislation adopted by the Parliament… It is deeply regrettable that the Government of India has refused to avail itself of the legal remedies provided by Pakistan,” Foreign Office spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said in his weekly press briefing.

He said the International Court of Justice (Review and Re-consideration) Act, 2020 provided for the right of review and reconsideration in giving effect to the judgment of the ICJ in the case of Commander Jadhav.

He said Commander Jadhav, an Indian spy and RAW operative, facilitated numerous acts of terrorism in Pakistan, which resulted in the killings of countless innocent citizens of Pakistan.

“Government of Pakistan once again reminds the Government of India of its obligation to arrange for legal representation of Commander Jadhav under paragraph 118 of the ICJ judgment,” he remarked.

Felicitating the Sikh Community in Pakistan, India and across the world on the 552nd birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak, the Spokesperson told the media that Pakistan was welcoming and hosting thousands of devotees coming in from India and around the world for the celebrations and various ceremonies.

He informed media that pilgrims were also coming in through the Kartarpur Corridor since Wednesday after the Government of India’s last-minute decision to re-open the Corridor from its side following repeated calls for the same.

Following a brief COVID-19 related closure, the Corridor was reopened by Pakistan in June 2020. India on the other hand had kept the Corridor closed for 20 months, despite resumption of international travel and opening of religious places in India.

He said besides the Kartarpur Corridor, pilgrims from India are also coming through Wagah border. Similarly, large numbers of pilgrims are coming from many other countries.