Pak's real face visible, says India as Hafiz walks free

Asks for ensuring safety of Jadhav's wife, mother if they visit

JAMMU: Expressing outrage over the release of Mumbai terror attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed, who walked free from house arrest midnight with Pakistan government not pushing any charge against him, India said it was an attempt by Pakistan to mainstream proscribed terrorists and a reflection of its continuing support to non-state actors; meanhwhile, an unfazed Pakistan has now said that it will consider taking Kashmir issue to the International Court of Justice following the footsteps of India which took the matter of death row prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav to the world court.
In a strong reaction over Mumbai attacks' mastermind's release, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said Saeed's release confirmed once again the lack of seriousness by the Pakistan government in bringing to justice perpetrators of terrorism, including individuals and entities designated by the UN.
"It also appears to be an attempt by the Pakistani system to mainstream proscribed terrorists. Pakistan has not changed its policy of shielding and supporting non-state actors and its true face is visible for all to see," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar told a press conference in New Delhi.
A Pakistani judicial body on Wednesday had ordered the release of Saeed from house arrest, seen as a setback to India's efforts to bring to justice the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
"India, as indeed the entire international community, is outraged that a self-confessed and UN proscribed terrorist is being allowed to walk free and continue his evil agenda," he said, adding the terrorist was also responsible for unleashing numerous other terror attacks against Pakistan's neighbours.
Kumar said it is the responsibility of the Pakistan government to fulfil its international obligations and take credible and effective action against terrorists like Saeed.
Saeed was the prime organiser of the Mumbai terror attacks in which many Indians and nationals of several other countries were killed.
"His release confirms once again the lack of seriousness on the part of Pakistani government in bringing to justice perpetrators of heinous acts of terrorism, including by individuals and entities designated by the United Nations.
The banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah head, who carries a bounty of USD 10 million announced by the US for his role in terror activities, has been under detention since January.
Replying to a question on whether the Donald Trump administration has been soft on dealing with terrorism emanating from Pakistan, Kumar called the observation wrong and said both India and the US were on the "same page" in combating terrorism.
Meanwhile, India also sought "sovereign guarantee" from Pakistan to ensure safety and security of the wife and the mother of Indian death row prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav if they are allowed to visit him.
The external affairs ministry said Pakistan has also been asked not to subject the two women to any questioning, harassment or interrogation during their stay in Pakistan.
On November 10, Pakistan had said it will allow Jadhav to meet his wife, months after India requested it to grant visa to his mother on humanitarian grounds.
MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Thursday said India has also asked Pakistan that a diplomat of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad should be allowed to accompany the two women at all times, including during the meeting with Jadhav.
He also asserted that offer of such a meeting does not absolve Pakistan of the violations of the Vienna Convention on consular access and not following the due process in treating Jadhav who faces death sentence through a "farcical process and on concocted charges".
"We have also sought sovereign guarantee from the government of Pakistan to ensure the safety, security and wellbeing of the wife and the mother of Jadhav and that they shall not be questioned, harassed or interrogated during their visit and stay in Pakistan," Kumar said.
Last week, Pakistan said it is also "considering" India's request to let Jadhav's mother meet him, apart from his wife.
Around three days back, India sent its response to Pakistan's offer of allowing Jadhav's wife to meet him and Kumar said now India is waiting for Islamabad's reply to it.
"We got a note verbale from the Pakistani side. We responded to the note verbale. Now we are waiting for their response to our response," he said.
Hoping that Pakistan would facilitate visit by the wife and mother of Jadhav, Kumar said the government determined to "pursue all measures" with "full vigour" so as to secure the final release of an innocent Indian.
"Such a meeting offer does not absolve Pakistan of the violations of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and Human Rights and not following the due process in treating Jadhav who remains incarcerated in Pakistan and faces death sentence through a farcical process and on concocted charges," he said.
Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court in April on charges of espionage and terrorism. The International Court of Justice in May halted his execution on India's appeal.
The MEA spokesperson notwithstanding the long pending request from Jadhav's mother to visit her son, India responded positively to the Pakistani offer to arrange a meeting of between him and his wife.
"In our response, we have conveyed that the wife of Jadhav would like to travel along with her mother-in-law for the meeting," he said.
Pakistan has repeatedly denied India consular access to Jadhav on the ground that it was not applicable in cases related to spies.
Last month, the Pakistan Army had said it is close to a decision on the mercy petition of Jadhav.
Pakistan claims its security forces arrested him from restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran. However, India maintains that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Navy.
Jadhav's sentencing had evoked a sharp reaction in India.
After India approached the ICJ, a 10-member bench on May 18 restrained Pakistan from executing Jadhav till adjudication of the case.
The ICJ has asked Pakistan to submit its response or memorial by December 13 before the court could start further proceedings in the case.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has indicated that it could take the issue of Kashmir to the International Court of Justice following the footsteps of India which took the matter of death row prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav to the world court.
Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisal was asked at the weekly media briefing whether Pakistan would take Kashmir issue to the ICJ.
Instead of saying a direct yes or no, he indicated that the issue was being considered by the legal experts.
"Regarding taking the matter of Jammu & Kashmir to ICJ, it is a complex legal problem. The Attorney General is working on the matter and may update in due course," he said in response to a question.