Pak HC allows India to recruit lawyer for Kulbhushan case

The Islamabad High Court on Monday ordered the Pakistan government to give “another chance” to India to appoint a lawyer for death-row prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav.

A two judge-bench, comprising Chief Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, heard a petition filed by the Pakistan government to appoint a lawyer for Mr Jadhav.

The Pakistan government, in the petition, asked the court to appoint a legal representative for Mr Jadhav so that it can fulfil its responsibility to see to the implementation of the ICJ’s decision. It also claimed that Mr Jadhav refused to file a review petition to reconsider the verdict against him by the military court.

“Now that the matter is in the high court, why not give India another chance,” Justice Minallah was quoted as saying by Geo News.

“India and Kulbhushan Jadhav should once again be extended an offer to appoint a legal representative” for the death row prisoner, he added.

The court ordered the ministry of foreign affairs to approach India and Mr Jadhav again to make them a part of the hearing. Attorney general Khalid Jawed Khan assured the court that the government will follow the court’s directives. The judge also instructed officials to not make any unnecessary comments on the case.

Asked whether Indian lawyers could appear in Islamabad High Court on behalf of Mr Jadhav, Mr Khan said that “only Pakistani lawyers and those who are entitled to practice in Pakistan” can be appointed.