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Family of Convicted Indian Spy Arrives in Pakistan to See Him

by Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD --

   The wife and mother of convicted Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav arrived
   in Pakistan Monday to see him. Pakistani officials say the meeting has
   been allowed "purely on humanitarian grounds" and special arrangements
   have been put in place at the foreign ministry where the interaction
   will take place.

   Extremely tight security arrangements were established in and around
   the complex housing the foreign ministry with mobile phone signal
   jammers also activated to deter subversive acts

   Jadhav's family plans to return home soon after the meeting, which is
   expected last an hour, according to Pakistani foreign ministry
   officials. A military court sentenced Jadhav to death in April for
   espionage and terrorism against Pakistan.

   "There would be a partition for security reasons," a Pakistan foreign
   ministry official said when asked whether the family members would be
   allowed to meet Jadhav personally. The official spoke on condition of
   anonymity.

   He added that media crews will be able to cover the arrival and
   departure of Jadhav's wife and mother at the ministry and Pakistan has
   agreed to honor India's request not to allow any media interaction with
   the visitors, the official added.

   "Media may kindly be kept at a distance to ensure security of the
   family members and avoid any harassment to them," he quoted from a
   letter the foreign ministry received from the Indian government ahead
   of Monday's meeting.

   Charges rejected

   India says Jadhav is a former officer of the Indian navy but he rejects
   the charges against him as baseless, saying he has no connection with
   the government.

   Pakistani officials insist Jadhav has confessed before the country's
   military court that he was tasked by the Indian intelligence agency "to
   plan, coordinate and organize espionage, terrorist and sabotage
   activities" against Pakistan.

   India asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in May to restrict
   Pakistan from executing Jadhav, arguing he was denied diplomatic
   assistance during what it called an "unfair trial."

   The ICJ suspended the execution, pending final judgment by the court.
   Pakistan rejected India's assertions while submitting its reply to ICJ
   last week.

   Appeal filed

   Islamabad defended its stance of not granting diplomatic access to
   Jadhav, insisting he is a serving officer of the Indian navy and
   entered the country with the intent of spying and carrying out
   subversive acts.

   Jadhav has filed an appeal with Pakistan's army chief, General Qamar
   Javed Bajwa, to seek clemency, which is still pending. He can still ask
   for a presidential pardon in case Bajwa turned down his mercy petition.