ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has formally informed the International Court of Justice, hearing India’s petition against the conviction of its spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, that Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf will lead the legal team of Pakistan in the case.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has communicated the decision of appointing Ausaf as an agent in the case to ICJ registrar at Peace Palace, The Hague.
The meaning of word “agent” is here taken as a persons who leads a legal team representing the Pakistan or opens arguments before the ICJ. The word also describes that Pakistan will communicate with ICJ in future through the agent.
Pakistan has designated Foreign Affairs Director General Dr Mohammad Faisal as co-agent in the case.
ICJ’s Ruling
The International Court of Justice in its May 18th verdict stayed the execution of RAW agent Kulbhushan Jadhav and directed Pakistan to provide consular access to him.
“Pakistan shall take necessary measures to ensure that Jadhav is not executed until the final decision in these proceedings and shall inform the court all the measures taken in implementation of the court’s order,” the order stated.
“India has the right to seek consular access for Jadhav,” it added.
The order was pronounced by Judge Ronny Abraham, President of the Court who noted that the case of Jadhav came under its jurisdiction over Vienna Convention thus refuting Pakistan’s request, challenging its domain.
Kulbhushan’s Arrest
Kulbhushan Jadhav was arrested from Balochistan last year on March 3. The Pakistan Military Court sentenced him to death, alleging that he was working as a spy for intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
Following Kulbhushan’s death sentence, Pakistan also nabbed a few of his accomplices in a bid to unearth the terror network wrecking havoc in the country.