Appreciate ICJ’s decision, Pakistan shall proceed further as per law: Imran Khan tries to put brave face despite setback - Imran Khan

A day after International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced its verdict in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said that they will proceed by the law.

A day after International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced its verdict in Kulbhushan Jadhav case, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said that they appreciate ICJ’s decision and shall further proceed by the law.

Imran Khan took to Twitter and said what it seems to his own version of the verdict, "Appreciate ICJ’s decision not to acquit, release & return Kulbhushan Jadhav to India. He is guilty of crimes against the people of Pakistan. Pakistan shall proceed further as per law."

The ICJ on Wednesday came down heavily on Pakistan for violating Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav's rights by not providing him consular access or the ability to choose his own defence attorney during his closed trial by a military court.

Jadhav, 49, a retired Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of "espionage and terrorism" in April 2017 based on an "extracted confession".
A 16-member bench headed by President of the Court Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf by 15-1 votes ordered Pakistan on Wednesday to undertake an "effective review and reconsideration of the conviction and sentence of Kulbhushan Sudhir Jadhav".

In its 42-page ruling, the court ruled that Pakistan had "breached" the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations, which gives countries the right to consular access when their nationals are arrested abroad.

The court found that by not informing Jadhav without delay of his rights under Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, Pakistan breached the obligations incumbent upon it under that provision.

Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed ICJ's verdict on Kulbhushan Jadhav and said, "We welcome today’s verdict in the @CIJ_ICJ. Truth and justice have prevailed. Congratulations to the ICJ for a verdict based on extensive study of facts. I am sure Kulbhushan Jadhav will get justice."

"Our Government will always work for the safety and welfare of every Indian," he added.

However, even after being slammed by ICJ for violating Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations and denying consular access to Jadhav even after repeated attempts by India, Pakistan returned to its old tactic of calling a loss as a victory.

Speaking after the judgement, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said, "Jadhav shall remain in Pakistan. He shall be treated in accordance with the laws of Pakistan. This is a victory for Pakistan."