Pakistan on Wednesday rejected yet another Indian request for consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, a RAW agent who has been awarded death penalty. Sources said that Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Gautam Bambawale held a meeting with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and conveyed the Indian government's request for the consular access to Jadhav, a second such request in a month by him.

The foreign secretary, according to sources, denied consular access to the Indian spy who has been awarded death sentence by a Field General Court Martial. They said that Janjua conveyed to the Indian High Commissioner that Pakistan maintains its decision to deny consular access to Jadhav.

Janjua told Bambawale that Jadhav is a serving Indian naval officer who was involved in terrorist activities in Pakistan and thus no consular access could be allowed. She also explained that the two sides have an understanding of consular access to the prisoners but not to spies.

The sources further said that the foreign secretary further told the Indian high commissioner that Jadhav was tried under the Pakistan Army Act 1952 and the Official Secret Act of 1923, after he was caught red-handed in Pakistan for his involvement in espionage, terrorist and sabotage activities in the country.

She further said that Jadhav himself has acknowledged his involvement in subversive activities against the state of Pakistan. The foreign secretary emphasised that during the period of trial, due judicial process was followed and he was provided a lawyer in accordance with relevant laws and the Constitution of Pakistan.

This is the second time the Indian High Commissioner has called on the Foreign Secretary since the death sentence was awarded to Jadhav. Earlier on April 14, Bambawale made a similar request, which was turned down. Later talking to reporters, the Indian High Commissioner pointed out that India had so far sought consular access to Jhadav for 13 times.

Meanwhile, Pakistan also expressed disappointment over the Indian government's denial of visas to Pakistani squash players to participate in the games in that country. According to Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria, the Indian diplomat was summoned to Foreign Office on Tuesday to register disappointment over the denial of visas to Pakistani players. "It is highly regrettable that the players of champion title holder, Pakistan, were not facilitated by India to defend the title," he added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017