Summary Pakistan asks ICJ to adopt an expedited timetable for early hearing of Kulbhushan Jadhav case.
THE HAGUE (Dunya News/APP) – The delegations of Pakistan and India on Thursday met ICJ president Ronny Abraham to discuss the timelines in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case. The Registrar of the court and other court officials were also present in the meeting.
This was not a hearing and no discussion on the substance or merits of the case was held, a press release issued here from the Attorney General Office said. The purpose of the meeting was only to discuss procedural matters, including the timelines for submission of written memorials and to enable a hearing to be listed.
The ICJ president sought the views of the parties as to time required for the submission of their written pleadings and supporting evidence called memorials.
Pakistani delegation led by Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf Ali urged the Court to adopt an expedited timetable with a view for an early substantive hearing. The Court will now announce the timetable shortly.
Aattorney general Ashtar Ausaf Ali also informed The Hague-based world court of its intention to appoint an ad hoc judge to sit on the bench hearing Jadhav’s case.
The ICJ’s rules allow a country that is party to a case to appoint an ad hoc judge if an opposing party has a judge in the bench. An Indian judge is part of the panel hearing Jadhav’s case.
The Indian application seeks at least release or acquittal of Commander Jadhav. As was made clear by Pakistan’s counsel, Khawar Qureshi QC,
on May 15, India can never obtain this from the ICJ. As has also been explained previously, the court on May 18 made a procedural order to enable a full hearing to take place. It did not make any finding on jurisdiction or merits.
Pakistan’s arguments on jurisdiction and merits will be considered by the Court at the full hearing. As can be seen from paragraph 60 of the court order of 18th May 2017 itself, the court stated that it in no way prejudged
jurisdiction, admissibility or merits.
The Government of Pakistan is fully confident that India can never succeed in its application. India can never obtain acquittal or release of Commander Jadhav on the basis of its application to the International Court.
