Pakistan denies consular access to Jadhav again

The Indian High Commission here on Friday sought consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, sentenced to death by Pakistan, but was denied for the 14th time, envoy Gautam Bambawale said.

"We demanded a meeting (with Jadhav), but they denied," Bambawale told reporters after meeting Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua here.

India said it has sought consular access to Jadhav 13 times earlier, but was refused each time.

Asked about the case of a former Pakistani military officer who is reported to have been abducted in Lumbini, Nepal, last week, Bambawale said he has "no knowledge" about the issue.

The Indian envoy retorted that the question on the disappearance of Lt. Col Habib Zahir should be asked to the Pakistan Army. "They know better about his whereabouts," he said.

Earlier, Pakistan's top foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz in his press briefing said that consular access can not be provided in "espionage cases".

Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on April 10 on charges of espionage and waging war against Pakistan.

--IANS

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