The UN’s top court the International Court of Justice ordered Pakistan not to execute Indian citizen Kulbushan Jadhav, who has been convicted of spying and subversive activities in Pakistan, until it gives a final decision.The International Court of Justice rejected Pakistan’s argument that it did not have jurisdiction in the matter. The court reasoned it could hear the case because it involved, on the face of it, an alleged violation of one of the clauses of the Vienna Convention, which both Pakistan and India ascribe to and whose interpretation falls under its purview. The court said that Pakistan should take all measures to ensure that Mr Jadhav will not be executed till the final decision of this court.It said that ‘Pakistan shall take all measures at its disposal to ensure that Mr Jadhav is not executed pending the final decision in these proceedings and shall inform the Court of all the measures taken in implementation of the present Order’. Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said that Pakistan’s counsel had courageously presented Pakistan’s stance in International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Indian spy Kulbhushan Yadav.
He said that Pakistan would form a new team of lawyers to present Pakistan’s stance vigorously in the case. He said that the ICJ had given its point of view on the case to get counselor access. He said that Pakistan’s security is very important to us and we have to maintain it as our fundamental sovereign right. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that International Court of Justice has not accepted India’s stance on its spy Kulbhushan Jadhav case. He said that the Kulbhushan Jadhav was an issue of Pakistan’s national security and there will be no compromise on it. Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should have shouldered his responsibility for Kulbhushan Jadhav’s case as the issue pertains to national security. He said that the government aimed to provide a ‘walk over’ to India and the Attorney General should have been sent in the International Court of Justice to represent Pakistan in the case. He accused the government of not fulfilling its duties pertaining to Kulbhushan’s case and said that the government’s inefficiency is evident over matter. Kulbhushan Jadhav is a RAW agent was involved in terrorism activities in Pakistan. Pakistan had presented dossiers to the United Nations regarding his involvement in terrorist and subversive activities in Pakistan.
He was convicted after fulfilling all necessary legal procedures. Although at the initial stage, court has rejected the Pakistan’s stance regarding the jurisdiction of International Court of Justice in this matter but the battle is not over yet. The criticism on the government for not presenting the case properly is looking valid. The government should send senior lawyers to represent the case because it was an issue of Pakistan’s national security. Pakistan should strongly fight the case without compromising on its national security. Any negligence can give severe consequences for the national security of Pakistan.
