India demands consular access to Jadhav, Hamid Ansari

KARACHI – India reiterated on Monday its request for consular access to convicted spy Kulbhushan Jadhav and Hamid Nehal Ansari, both imprisoned in Pakistan on the charges of anti-state activities.

“We also await consular access to those Indian nationals in Pakistan’s custody for whom it has so far not been provided, including Kulbhushan Jadhav and Hamid Nehal Ansari,” Hindustan Times quoted the Indian external affairs ministry as saying.

“[India has] repeatedly emphasised the need for early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defence personnel and fishermen along with their boats”, the statement added. Jadhav was caught from Balochistan last year after he was found involved in acts of terrorism. He was allowed to meet his family a week ago, with India alleging the meeting took place in an atmosphere of coercion. Ansari was tried in a military court and was awarded three years’ vigorous imprisonment that started from December 15, 2015 and will end on December 14 next year. He was arrested by the security agencies in 2012.

On November 1, Ansari’s lawyer pleaded remission in a petition with the high court. The counsel contended said Ansari was not involved in anti-state activities but had entered the country without proper documents. The petitioner claimed the Indian national came to Kohat to meet a woman he had befriended on social media.

Source: The Nation