The Islamabad High Court in Pakistan has directed Pakistan’s Foreign Office to seek a response from India on the appointment of a lawyer for the Kulbhusan Jadhav case. Jadhav, a former Indian Navy officer, is in Pakistan custody and was sentenced to death there by a military court. 

Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Minallah directed officials of the Foreign Office to approach their Indian counterparts, seeking a response in the appointment of a lawyer in the Jadhav case. 

The Jadhav sentencing was challenged by India in the International Court of Justice ( ICJ) on the ground that the sentencing violated  Article 36 of the Vienna Convention that defines a framework for consular relations between sovereign states. The ICJ later passed an order in India’s favor. 

The government of Pakistan, in order to meet its obligations regarding giving effect to the judgment of the ICJ, has specifically promulgated an ordinance. The Indian government has termed this ordinance an “illusion of remedy”, not a proper remedy.

Pakistan claimed the former navy officer was a RAW agent who entered Pakistan’s restive Baluchistan province on 3 May 2016 and was arrested on charges of espionage and terror activities.

India, however, denied these charges. Conversely, media reports in India had said he was abducted from Iran by Pakistan-backed elements.