Imran Khan reacts to ICJ decision on Kulbhushan Yadav

The International Court of Justice ordered Pakistan to review the death sentence for Kulbhushan Jadhav.

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday welcomed the decision of International Court of Justice (ICJ) and said Pakistan would proceed as per law.

"Appreciate ICJ's decision not to acquit, release and return Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav to India," the Prime Minister said in a tweet.

Imran Khan✔@ImranKhanPTI

Appreciate ICJ’s decision not to acquit, release & return Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav to India. He is guilty of crimes against the people of Pakistan. Pakistan shall proceed further as per law.

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7:50 AM - Jul 18, 2019

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The PM said Commander Jadhav was guilty of crimes against the people of Pakistan and the action would be taken against him in accordance with the law.

The Hague-based ICJ on Wednesday in its final verdict in Kulbhushan Jadhav case had rejected India's plea for acquittal, release, and return of its nationals who were given death sentence by a Pakistan's military court on charges of espionage and terrorism.

Jadhav was arrested in Pakistan's restive southwestern province of Baluchistan in March 2016, and the case has stoked tensions between the two countries.

Judges at the UN's top court ruled Pakistan had breached the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations, which gives countries the right to consular access when their nationals are arrested abroad.

Pakistan's foreign ministry indicated it would comply with the court's decision.

"Pakistan, as a responsible member of the international community, upheld its commitment from the very beginning of the case by appearing before the honorable court for the provisional measures hearing despite the very short notice," the ministry said in a written statement. "Having heard the judgment, Pakistan will now proceed as per law."

"This is a clear, clear win for Pakistan," Pakistani Attorney-General Anwar Mansoor Khan told reporters outside the courtroom. "Pakistan has in fact been very clear from the outset that they will consider the review and reconsideration."

Meantime, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that "we welcome today's verdict."

"Truth and justice have prevailed," Modi said. "Congratulations to the ICJ for a verdict based on extensive study of facts. I am sure Kulbhushan Jadhav will get justice."

The Hague-based ICJ ordered the "effective review and reconsideration of the conviction and sentence" passed on Jadhav, according to a document on the court's website.

With inputs from AFP, APP