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Pakistan's counter-point in International Court of Justice: Vienna Convention does not apply to spies

Pakistan rejected India's attempts to invoke the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice to save the life of Kulbushan Jadhav.

After India presented its arguments to ensure release of Kulbhushan Jadhav, the alleged Indian spy sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court, at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Pakistan too tried to justify its case.

The entire hearing at ICJ: How it happened

Pakistan today rejected India's attempts to invoke the jurisdiction of the ICJ to save the life of Kulbushan Jadhav, saying provisions of the Vienna Convention did not apply on spies, terrorists and those who indulge in espionage.

Rebutting India's case before the ICJ, Counsel Khawar Qureshi asserted that this forum is not a criminal court of appeal nor does it exercise criminal jurisdiction.

What Pakistan said at the International Court of Justice

1. India's plea for invoking provisions of Article 36 of the Vienna Convention is not relevant in this case. The Vienna Convention was adopted for better communication between friendly countries. But it cannot apply in this case of a spy set up by a state.
2. It is clear from the Vienna Convention that the provision being sought under Article 36 by India cannot be entertained by this court.
3. India is invoking the jurisdiction of the court for 'political theatre.'
4. The court is bound to settle disputes between countries peacefully and not waste time on issues sought to be raised for political purpose.

In this regard, Qureshi cited the possibility of clemency which was mentioned by Pakistan Foreign Advisor Sartaj Aziz.

At the end of the Pakistani argument, ICJ President Ronny Abraham announced that the court would give its verdict in the case "as soon as possible".

The date will be delivered at a public sitting, Abraham said.

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Kulbhushan Jadhav case: Pakistan says in no hurry to hang, trial not held in a kangaroo court

How India argued against Pakistan for Kulbhushan Jadhav at International Court of Justice

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Pakistan's full argument of Kulbhushan Jadhav's case in ICJ