Kulbhushan Jadhav swap with Col Habib Zahir: Pakistan FO response
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ISLAMABAD - Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammed Faisal had said hanging Kulbhushan Jhadav did not suit Pakistan as his existence would keep the case alive. Faisal said Pakistan was in no hurry to execute the Indian spy as he still had his mercy appeal pending before the army chief, Qamar Javed Bajwa. “Even if the army chief rejects his appeal, he can still file another appeal to the President (Mamnoon Hussain).
The army chief can take a decision in minutes or years. Same is the case with the President. His (Jadhav’s) existence is better than his death for us. This will keep the case alive. Or he will vanish like Ajmal Kasab (who was executed by India for alleged role in 2008 Mumbai attacks),” said the spokesperson.
He said the delay in Jadhav’s execution is not to bargain for Colonel Mohammed Habib (retd) release. “This case has nothing to do with that.
We have some many other things if we wanted a bargain,” he argued. Jhadav was arrested last year in the Balochistan province for spying and stoking terrorism and sectarianism in the country.
Islamabad also handed over dossiers to the UN regarding Jadhav’s confessional statement.
India has challenged Jadhav’s conviction in the International Court of Justice but Pakistan disputed the jurisdiction after the court observed that turning down the request for consular access was a denial of right. In May, the UN’s top court ordered Pakistan to stay the Jadhav’s execution.
