Kulbhushan Jadhav sentenced as per law, has 40 days to appeal: Sartaj Aziz

Pakistan on Friday said that alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav was sentenced according to the country's law and he has 40 days to file an appeal in the apex court.

Top foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz also warned India to stop issuing "rhetorical statements" against Islamabad over the issue.

"He was sentenced as per the law of the land. He (Jadhav) was involved in subversive activities in Pakistan, and was holding two passports, for which India has no answer," Aziz said. 

Aziz slammed India's claim that Jadhav, a former naval officer, was captured in Iran. Aziz, in fact, claimed that Jadhav is a serving Indian naval officer.

"It's all rhetoric that he was captured in Iran. He has the right to file a review in the Supreme Court and also file a mercy petition to the Army Chief and the President in 40 days," Aziz added. 

Aziz also said that Indian statements on the issue could lead to diplomatic tensions. "We should respect each others' sovereignty," Aziz said. 

India has said if Pakistan goes ahead with the hanging of Jadhav, it would amount to premeditated murder.