India, in the first-ever diplomatic contact between Islamabad and New Delhi after the sentencing of spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, made two formal demands of Pakistan during a meeting between Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale and Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua in Islamabad.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Bambawale said New Delhi had, during the meeting, requested consular access to Jadhav for the 14th time.
The Indian high commissioner claimed that there had been no response to Delhi's previous 13 requests.
He added that India had also requested Pakistan for a formal charge sheet against Jadhav.
Earlier today, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz had shared the state's charge sheet against Jadhav and a timeline of his trial.
The charge sheet
Aziz stated that Jadhav had been held responsible for the following terrorist activities in Pakistan:
Sponsored and directed Improvised Explosive Device and grenade attacks in Gwadar and Turbat.
Directed attacks on a radar station and civilian boats in the sea opposite Jiwani Port.
Funded subversive secessionist and terrorist elements through hawala/hundi for subverting the Pakistani youth against the country, especially in Balochistan.
Sponsored explosions of gas pipelines and electric pylons in Sibi and Sui areas in Balochistan.
Sponsored IED explosions in Quetta in 2015, causing massive damage to life and property.
Sponsored attack on Hazaras in Quetta and Shias en route to and back from Iran.
Abetted attacks through anti-state elements against law enforcement agencies, the Frontier Corps and Frontier Works Organisation in areas of Turbat, Punjgur, Gawadar, Pasni and Jiwani during 2014-15, killing and injuring many civilians and soldiers.
Explore: Sartaj Aziz shares charge sheet against Jadhav, timeline of trial
Jadhav's arrest and trial
Jadhav was arrested on March 3, 2016, through a counter-intelligence operation in Balochistan's Mashkel area for his involvement in espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Monday.
Although the accused had been provided with a defending officer as per legal provisions, according to ISPR, Pakistan had turned down India's request seeking consular access to Jadhav last year due to his involvement in "subversive activities" in the country.
Jadhav was tried by the FGCM under Section 59 of the PAA and Section 3 of the official Secret Act of 1923, the statement said.
Jadhav confessed before a magistrate and court that he was tasked by Indian spy agency Research and Analysis wing to plan, coordinate and organise espionage and sabotage activities seeking to destabilise and wage war against Pakistan through impeding the efforts of law enforcement agencies for the restoration of peace in Balochistan and Karachi, the ISPR said.
Following the announcement, India summoned Pakistan's High Commissioner to New Delhi Abdul Basit on Monday and handed over a demarche saying, "If this sentence against an Indian citizen, awarded without observing basic norms of law and justice, is carried out, the government and people of India will regard it as a case of premeditated murder."
Dawn reported that Jadhav now has 40 days to file an appeal against the FGCM in the army’s court of appeal, according to retired Col Inamur Rahim, a military law expert.
In case the appeal court upholds the FGCM verdict, Jadhav would have the opportunity to seek mercy from the army chief and the president of Pakistan.
Simultaneously, Col Inam said, the convict could approach a high court if he felt that due process was not observed during his trial and his fundamental rights as an accused were not fulfilled.
Experts view the military's announcement about Jadhav's trial and prosecution as an unprecedented move, viewing it as a strong message to India as well as other foreign intelligence agencies.
