ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government on Monday put a new law before parliament for approval that will allow an Indian convicted for spying in Pakistan to approach a high court for the review of the death penalty awarded him by a military court in 2017.
Kulbhushan Jadhav was arrested in March 2016 in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan, the site of a long-running conflict between security forces and separatists. He was convicted of planning espionage and sabotage and sentenced to death by a military tribunal the following year.
Pakistani opposition parties have criticized the government for “facilitating” Jadhav through the special law. The government says the new ordinance will effectively block India from going to the UN Security Council against Pakistan.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs, Babar Awan, presented the bill, called the International Court of Justice (Review and Reconsideration) Ordinance, 2020, before the National Assembly for approval.
“In no way has the national interest or security been compromised by the promulgation of this ordinance,” Awan told Pakistani media. “Therefore, the political hullaballoo is not justified or fair.”
India says Jadhav is innocent. Last year the World Court ordered Pakistan to review the death penalty for Jadhav.
On July 22, the Pakistan government approached the Islamabad High Court to appoint a legal representative for the Indian spy. According to the petition, Jadhav has refused to file a petition against his sentence.
The Indian spy cannot appoint a lawyer in Pakistan without India’s assistance, and Delhi is reluctant to avail the review facility under the ordinance, the petition said.
The government has thus asked the court to appoint a legal representative for Jadhav so that Pakistan can fulfil its responsibility to implementation the ICJ’s decision.
On July 17, Pakistan offered Jadhav consular access for a third time.
Pakistan authorities say Jadhav confessed to being ordered by India’s intelligence service to conduct espionage and sabotage in Balochistan, a province at the center of a $60 billion Chinese-backed “Belt and Road” development project.
In a transcript released by Pakistan of what it says is Jadhav’s confession, the former naval officer says disrupting the Chinese-funded projects was a main goal of his activities.
Pakistan tables new law to allow Indian spy to appeal death sentence in court
https://arab.news/wqesg
Pakistan tables new law to allow Indian spy to appeal death sentence in court
- Government says the new ordinance will effectively block India from going to UN Security Council against Pakistan
- Kulbhushan Jadhav was arrested in March 2016 in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, sentenced to death in 2017
Pakistan PM calls for faster CPEC implementation, pledges security for Chinese workers
- Shehbaz Sharif pushes expanded cooperation in agriculture, IT and mining under CPEC phase two
- Chinese envoy reaffirms Beijing’s support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and economic development
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called for speeding up projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and pledged stronger security guarantees for Chinese workers and investments, during a meeting with China’s ambassador in Islamabad.
Sharif made the remarks as the two countries strive to launch the second phase of CPEC, a multibillion-dollar infrastructure and energy initiative launched in 2015 as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
CPEC’s first phase focused largely on power generation and transport infrastructure aimed at easing Pakistan’s chronic energy shortages and improving connectivity. The second phase seeks to expand cooperation into industrial development, with an emphasis on special economic zones and export-oriented growth.
“While highlighting the importance of accelerating ongoing CPEC projects, the Prime Minister stressed on the need to enhance cooperation in agriculture and IT and mining & minerals,” said a statement circulated by the PM Office after the meeting.
“He also underscored Pakistan’s resolve to provide a secure and conducive environment for Chinese personnel, investments, and institutions in Pakistan,” it added.
Chinese nationals and projects in Pakistan have faced security threats in the past, including attacks by militant groups targeting infrastructure sites and convoys. Islamabad has repeatedly vowed to tighten security and has deployed special protection units for Chinese workers.
China is Pakistan’s closest ally in the region and a key economic partner, with CPEC widely regarded by Islamabad as central to long-term economic growth.
During the meeting, the prime minister conveyed greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, particularly on the occasion of the Chinese New Year.
China’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, reiterated Beijing’s support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and socioeconomic development, according to the statement. Both sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues and agreed to maintain close coordination.
