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Islamabad has welcomed the ‘fitting’ verdict issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Wednesday, in which it rejected New Delhi’s plea to acquit and release self-confessed Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav but ruled that he be allowed consular access.
The international court also ordered Pakistan for “effective review and reconsideration of the conviction and sentence.”
Addressing a news conference in Islamabad, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that India could not achieve what it desired by going to the international court. “The ICJ didn’t annul the military court’s verdict against Jadhav… this shows its confidence on Pakistan’s judicial system which is very fair and transparent,” he added.
Qureshi said that the country’s Army Act is very clear on capturing a serving Indian Navy officer, who was travelling on fake passport. “It is very obvious that the case would be run in a military court… same would’ve happened in India.”
ICJ rejects India’s plea for acquittal, repatriation of Kulbhushan Jadhav
Terming the ICJ verdict “fitting and welcoming”, Quershi said, “We thank the Almighty who has made Pakistan victorious at the international forum.” He said by respecting the verdict, Islamabad will proceed further on the matter by remaining within the ambit of laws of the land.
“India still has the right of review and appeal, so we don’t want to make any unnecessary comment on the issue,” he said in response to a question.
The foreign minister also took to Twitter to announce Pakistan's 'victory'.
Commander Jadhav shall remain in Pakistan. He shall be treated in accordance with the laws of Pakistan. This is a victory for Pakistan. #KulbhushanVerdict
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) July 17, 2019
Earlier, the Foreign Office said that Pakistan, as a responsible member of the International community “upheld its commitment from the very beginning of the case by appearing before the honourable court for the provisional measures hearing despite a very short notice”.
Watch: Kulbushan Jadhav's confession
“Having heard the judgment, Pakistan will now proceed as per law,” it said in a statement. It reiterated that Jadhav entered Pakistan without a visa on authentic Indian passport with a fake alias Hussain Mubarak Patel.
“Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav is responsible for acts of sabotage, espionage and multiple terrorist incidents in which scores of innocent Pakistani citizens were killed resulting into umpteen women being widowed and numerous children becoming orphans. Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav has confessed all these acts during his trial in Pakistani court in front of a Judicial Magistrate. This is a clear case of Indian state terrorism.”
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