Pak says Jadhav providing 'crucial intelligence' on terror attacks

Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria has revealed that former Indian naval officer and alleged spy Kulbhushan Jadhav has been providing "crucial intelligence" on recent terrorist attacks that have taken place in the country.

The Dawn quoted Zakaria, as saying in an interview that, "Jadhav continues to provide crucial intelligence with regard to recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan."

When asked to ellaborate on what kind of intelligence Jadhav was providing to the establishment, Zakaria said that at this point in time, he could not reveal the details.

Jadhav is currently on death row in Pakistan. His execution however, has been stayed by The Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf Ali has said that Islamabad will be presenting all evidences before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the Kulbhushan Jadhav case.

"We have important information against him," Attorney General Ausaf told a private news channel over the weekend.

He said Pakistan's stance on the issue has not beenm rejected by the ICJ, and the court's verdict of 18 May should only be seen as an interim one and not as a defeat or a victory for any country.

Replying to a question, Attorney General Ausaf said Pakistan saw itself as a responsible country that would not violate international laws, but also would never compromise on matters of national security or integrity.

Attorney General Ausaf said he would take guidelines from the National Security Committee (NSC) on the Kulbhushan Jadhav matter.

He said Pakistan was satisfied over the matter of arresting and punishing the former Indian naval officer.

He justified the decision of handing down the death sentence to Jadhav.

Last week, Pakistan requested the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to expedite the hearing of the Kulbhushan Jadhav case, whose execution was stayed by the court on 18 May.

The Express Tribune had reported that the Foreign Office had sent a letter to the ICJ's registrar, expressing Pakistan's desire for a quick hearing, preferably over the next few weeks.

The request was made in view of the upcoming elections for ICJ judges, scheduled to be held in November. It is believed that the ICJ might resume the hearing of the case in October, the daily quoted sources, as saying.

The federal government has not taken any decision as yet about replacing originally selected counsel Khawar Quraishi, saying that his performance was satisfactory and that he had raised all (relevant) legal points during the hearing on 18 May.

Jadhav has been sentenced to death by a Pakistan military court for spying for India. Pakistan has also denied consular access to him on 16 different occasions, a point highlighted by the Indian team during the hearing before the ICJ bench.

-ANI