ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has once again denied India consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav – the self-confessed Indian spy sentenced to death for fomenting terrorism in Pakistan.
The development came just a day after the two arch-rival countries exchanged lists of prisoners in each other’s custody with New Delhi asking Islamabad for consular access to Jadhav.
Terming the Indian attempt to equate the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) operative’s case with civilian prisoners and fishermen a travesty of logic, Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said: “Commander Jadhav is a serving Indian naval officer and sent to Pakistan by its intelligence agency for espionage, terrorism and subversive activities which resulted in loss of many innocent lives and damage to property.”
Claiming that Pakistan remains committed to implementation of the 2008 agreement on consular access between the two countries, the spokesperson said Indian humanitarian claims appear contrary to reality in view of the impossible conditions imposed for medical visas for Pakistani patients.
“Under the directive of the prime minister, arrangements are being made for such treatments/operations to be carried out in Pakistan,” he added.
The agreement on consular access between Pakistan and India stipulates the exchange of comprehensive lists of nationals of each country in the other country’s jails twice a year on January 1 and July 1. These lists were exchanged on July 1.
“Pakistan has implemented the bilateral consular agreement in letter and spirit and is committed to ensuring that humanitarian cases are not held hostage to politics,” the statement said. “We expect India to reciprocate through action rather than rhetoric.”
(With additional input from APP)
