Hope Centre uses its might to rescue Kulbhushan Jadhav: Owaisi

All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday urged the Centre to use its influence to rescue former Indian naval officer and alleged spy Kulbhushan Jadhav.

"The government's first priority should be to save Kulbhuashan Jadhav's life. They should use all of their power and influence to rescue him. Hope they will make all of their efforts to bring him back," Owaisi told ANI.

Describing the order passed by Pakistan's military court as "pre-meditated murder", External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has issued a stern warning, saying that Islamabad should be wary of taking such an extreme step as it could result in damaging bilateral relations between the already hostile neighbors.

"It is an indefensible verdict against an innocent Indian citizen. We have no option but to deem the sentence a premeditated murder. Our position is very clear, there is no evidence of wrongdoing by Kulbhushan Jadhav. I would caution Pakistan government to consider the consequences for our bilateral relationship if they proceed on this matter," said Swaraj in the Rajya Sabha.

Swaraj further said, "I would also like to tell the House that I have been in touch with the parents of Jadhav and we are extending our fullest support to them in this difficult situation. A strong sense of solidarity expressed by the House will give them more courage at this time".

Parliament has witnessed uproarious scenes over Pakistan's decision to sentence Jadhav to death.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has assured the Lok Sabha that the Centre will do everything possible to save Jadhav.

Jadhav was arrested in March last year, "for his (alleged) involvement in espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan," according to a statement released by the Pakistan armed forces.

The statement said Jadhav confessed that he was tasked by the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), to "plan, coordinate and organise espionage and sabotage activities aimed at destabilising and waging war against Pakistan."

A military court found Jadhav guilty on two counts of espionage and sentenced him to death.