Islamabad/ New Delhi: Kulbhushan Jadhav, the Indian sentenced to death in Pakistan, will be allowed to meet his wife and mother on December 25, Pakistan has said today.
Mr Jadhav, 47, was sentenced to death by a military court in Pakistan in April on charges of espionage and terrorism. In May this year, the International Court of Justice had halted his execution on India's appeal.
During his weekly news briefing, Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisal said a staff member from the Indian High Commission will also be present during the meeting. On November 10, Pakistan had agreed to allow his wife to meet him.
India has been pressing Pakistan to grant a visa to Mr Jadhav's mother, Avantika, on humanitarian grounds.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Sawraj had recently discussed Mr Jadhav's case with Pakistani High Commissioner in New Delhi, Sohail Mahmood.
Over the last one year, Pakistan has denied multiple requests from the Indian government to let officials meet him.
In May this year, India moved the International Court of Justice against the death sentence without giving him a fair trial. The world court had, on May 18, restrained Pakistan from executing the death sentence.
The death sentence had soured relations between the two countries.
Mr Jadhav had filed an appeal with Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa to seek clemency, which is still pending.
In October, the Pakistan Army had said it is close to a decision on the mercy petition of Mr 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 Indian Navy.
The ICJ has asked Pakistan to submit its response or memorial by December 13 before the court could start further proceedings in the case.
(With Inputs From PTI)
