Pakistan issues visas to Jadhav’s mother, wife
NEW DELHI : The Pakistan High Commission here on Wednesday issued visas to the mother and wife of Kulbhushan Jadhav to visit Islamabad to meet the death row prisoner.
“Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi issued the visas to the mother and wife of Commander Jadhav to visit Islamabad to meet him,” Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said.
Jadhav’s mother and wife are expected to arrive in Pakistan on Saturday via the Wagha Border. Informed sources said that during a meeting on Monday, Pakistan’s National Security Committee cleared the visas for Jadhav’s mother Avantika Jadhav and his wife.
Earlier this month, Pakistan said that it would allow them to meet him on humanitarian grounds. Islamabad also allowed them to be accompanied by an Indian embassy official as requested by New Delhi.
On November 10, Pakistan had offered to arrange a meeting between Mr. Jadhav and his wife. A Note Verbale to this effect was sent to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. But India insisted that Mr. Jadhav’s mother be included as well, with an Indian High Commission official present during the meeting. Pakistan accepted both demands.
Mr. Jadhav, who India claims was a former Navy official, was arrested by Pakistan law enforcement agencies on March 3, 2016 after he allegedly crossed over into Pakistan from Iran.
His video confession was released by Pakistani military last year in which he stated that he was tasked by RAW to plan, coordinate and organise espionage, terrorist and sabotage activities aimed at destabilising and waging war against Pakistan. India rejected the allegations that Mr. Jadhav had any connection with RAW.
Mr. Jadhav was sentenced to death by a military court, and his clemency appeal is pending with the Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa for the past four months. Pakistani officials said that there are still two forums of appeal left for Mr. Jadhav even if the Army Chief refuses his mercy appeal.
India went to the International Court of Justice against the conviction, and secured a stay on May 18. Pakistan earlier this week filed a counter-memorial/ (With Agency Inputs ).
