
Pakistan on Wednesday issued visas to the wife and mother of “Indian spy” Kulbhushan Jadhav to allow them to meet him on December 25, Foreign Office spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal tweeted.
Earlier this month, Pakistan said that it would allow them to meet him on humanitarian grounds. Islamabad also allowed them to be accompanied by an Indian embassy official as requested by New Delhi, The Hindu reported.
On November 10, Pakistan had offered to arrange a meeting between Jadhav and his wife. A Note Verbale to this effect was sent to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. But India insisted that Jadhav’s mother be included as well, with an Indian High Commission official present during the meeting. Pakistan accepted both demands.
Jadhav, who India claims was a former Navy official, was arrested by Pakistan law enforcement agencies on March 3, 2016 after he allegedly crossed over into Pakistan from Iran.
His video confession was released by Pakistani military last year in which he stated that he was tasked by RAW to plan, coordinate and organise espionage, terrorist and sabotage activities aimed at destabilising and waging war against Pakistan. India rejected the allegations that Jadhav had any connection with RAW.
Jadhav was sentenced to death by a military court, and his clemency appeal is pending with the Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa for the past four months. Pakistani officials said that there are still two forums of appeal left for Jadhav even if the Army Chief refuses his mercy appeal.
India went to the International Court of Justice against the conviction, and secured a stay on May 18. Pakistan earlier this week filed a counter-memorial in the ICJ.