By Diksha-
A parliamentary panel of Pakistan has approved the Government’s bill “The International Court of Justice (Review and Reconsideration) Ordinance” seeking a review of Kulbhushan Jadhav’s conviction and death sentence on the directions of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Jadhav had been convicted by a Pakistani Military Court in April 2017 on the charges of espionage and terrorism. Thereafter, India had approached the ICJ for denial of consular access to Jadhav and against the death sentence by the Court.
The bill was passed by the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Law and Justice in spite of resistance from the Opposition.
Farogh Naseem, Federal Minister for Law and Justice stated that in case the Bill is not adopted, it would imply that there was non-compliance with the ICJ’s directions.
Pakistan would also have to face sanctions in case the matter is referred to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Reportedly, 8 members voted in favor of the Bill, while 5 voted against it.
The Opposition termed the bill as NRO i.e. National Reconciliation Ordinance.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said that, “The core issues need to be addressed if we have to have effective review and reconsideration as ordered by the international court of justice. Pakistan must show its intention to deliver on the core issues”.
