The Pakistan Foreign Office on Monday clarified that India has not been given consular access to alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, ahead of his meeting with his wife and mother here.
Foreign Office spokesperson Muhammad Faisal said the presence of an Indian diplomat during the scheduled meeting between Jadhav and his family does not mean India has been given consular access to Jadhav, on death row in Pakistan.
Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif earlier had said that India had been given consular access to the Jadhav, describing it as a "concession".
Indian death row prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav's family travelled to Pakistan on Monday morning, and are scheduled to India on the same day's evening after spending barely seven hour in the country, according to a media report.
There are very few non-stop flights from Islamabad to New Delhi with fastest one-stop flight between Islamabad and New Delhi taking close to 10 hours.
Jadhav's family would be immediately travelling back to India via Oman. They will travel to Muscat on Oman Air an then will board Air India flight to New Delhi, Dawn News reported.
The Oman Air flight is scheduled to depart at 6.15 p from Islamabad to Muscat, according to Islamabad airport authorities.
Earlier, media reports said that Pakistan had asked India to convey the plan of Jadhav's family at the earliest otherwise it would be difficult to arrange the meeting.
A file image of Kulbhushan Jadhav.
Separately, Faisal had said that the meeting would take place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its photo and video footage would be issued.
The mother and wife of Jadhav were being provided with a meeting with him in the light of "Islamic traditions and based on purely humanitarian grounds," he had said.
Pakistan on December 20 issued visa to Jadhav's wife and mother to visit Islamabad to meet him.
Jadhav, 47, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism in April, following which India moved the ICJ in May. The ICJ halted his execution on India's appeal pending the final verdict by it.
Pakistan has repeatedly denied India consular access to Jadhav on the ground that it was not applicable in cases related to spies.
It said that Jadhav is not an ordinary person as he had entered the country with the intent of spying and carrying out sabotage activities.
Pakistan claims its security forces arrested Jadhav alias Hussein Mubarak Patel from its restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran.
India, however, maintains that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy.
With inputs from agencies
Published Date: Dec 25, 2017 03:23 pm | Updated Date: Dec 25, 2017 03:46 pm
Highlights
Jadhav’s family to return to India via Oman
Jadhav's mother and wife will leave for India today only. The family is expected to take a flight to New Delhi via Oman. They are expected to leave around 5 pm.
Kulbhushan Jadhav's meeting with family ends
Pakistan foreign office releases more images of the meeting
After 30 minutes of time, the meeting time has been extended: Ary News
Pakistan says Jadhav allowed to meet family on Jinnah's birthday
Only mother, wife allowed to speak to Jadhav, Indian envoy witnesses meeting at a distance
Kulbhushan Jadhav meets family at Pakistan foreign office
Jadhav met family across glass pane, conversation video recorded by Pakistan officials
Jadhav's family to catch 11.10 pm flight to India via Oman
Kulbhushan Jadhav finally meets family after 22 months
It is very difficult to talk under strict security vigil and overwhelming emotions: Sarabjit's sister recalls her experience
Sarabjit's sister Dalbir Kaur, recalling her own experience of meeting her brother Sarabjit in Pakistan, told India Today that it was a difficult time. She said that there is no question of talking normally because of the constant and strict vigil of the officials. She also added that it is a very emotionally overwhelming moment and before she could control her emotions the meeting was already over and she was being ushered out by the Pakistani officials.
Indian envoy to accompany Jadhav's family during the meet: NDTV
Can understand what they are going through, says Sarabjit's sister Dalbir Kaur
Speaking to India Today, Dalbir Kaur, sister of Sarabjit Singh, said that she can understand what Jadhav's family is going through. "I know very well what they are going through right now... I remember even I was given half an hour 20 minutes to meet my brother but I couldn't stop crying after seeing him. There was very little time given and I spent most of it crying."
Jadhav's family won't talk to media
According to CNN-News18 Jadhav’s wife and mother will not be speak to the media but officials of the Pakistan foreign office will brief the media persons present at the venue after the meeting.
Pakistan says consular access to Jadhav not given
The Pakistan Foreign Office on Monday clarified that India has not been given consular access to alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, ahead of his meeting with his wife and mother here.
Foreign Office spokesperson Muhammad Faisal said the presence of an Indian diplomat during the scheduled meeting between Jadhav and his family does not mean India has been given consular access to Jadhav, on death row in Pakistan.
Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif earlier had said that India had been given consular access to the Jadhav, describing it as a "concession".
Meeting begins
Reports from Pakistan say the family members of Kulbhushan Jadhav has met him at the Pakistan Foreign Office in Islamabad. This is the first time Jadhav has been allowed to meet anyone from India since his detention in March 2016.
Kulbhushan Jadhav's meeting with family likely to last 30 minutes
Reports suggest Kulbhushan Jadhav will be allowed to see his wife and mother only for a short duration of 30 minutes. This much-awaited meeting comes 22 months after Jadhav was allegedly illegally detained by the Pakistani authorities in March 2016.
Kulbhushan Jadhav's family leaves Indian High Commission
Pakistani media reports Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife and mother have left for the foreign office in Islamabad after paying a visit at the Indian High Commission
Photos, video of meeting to be released to media
Pakistan has announced it would issue photos and a video of the meeting and also allow the family to interact with media, if India agrees. Officials also said Jadhav's family would not interact with the media.
Special passes allotted for road travel near foreign office
Roads leading to the Constitution Avenue, on which Ministry Of Foreign Affairs is located, have been closed for traffic. Special security passes have been issued for those visiting the Foreign Office, officials said.
First Indian access to Kulbhushan Jadhav in Pakistan
This is the first access anyone from India will have access to former Indian Naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was allegedly illegally detained by Pakistani officials in March 2016.
Pakistan authorities granted visas to Jadhav's wife and mother while denying consular access to India 22 times in a row since his arrest last year.
Jadhav's family to return to India this evening
Kulbhushan Jadhav's family would be travelling immediately back to India in the evening after spending barely seven hour in the country, according to reports. Jadhav's wife and mother arrived in Islamabad via Dubai. They would be spending around seven hours in the country before returning to India.
Heavy security arranged near the meeting venue
Pakistan Rangers, anti-terrorism squads and sharp shooters deployed on rooftops, traffic disallowed in the area
No official statement on consular access yet
The Pakistan Foreign Office has not officially confirmed if Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan, JP Singh's presence in the meeting would be treated equivalent to providing "consular access".
It was also not clear if Singh would be allowed to interact with Jadhav during the meeting with his family or he would be a silent spectator.
Some local and international media outlets have been allowed to enter the Foreign Office premises, reports say
Pakistan foreign office officials also to be present in meeting
In addition to the Indian official, a couple of Ministry of Foreign Office officials will also be present during the meeting between Kulbhushan Jadhav and his family members, which could last between 15 minutes and one hour, according to sources
"Pakistan permits the meeting of wife and mother of commander Jadhav with him, as a humanitarian gesture, on the birthday of the father of the nation, Quaid E Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah," Pakistan's foreign office says in a statement on Twitter
Meeting between Kulbhushan Jadav, kin may last upto an hour
Duration of the meeting between Kulbhushan Jadhav and his family members has not been confirmed yet but it may last an hour, says sources in the Pakistan Foreign Office.
Jadhav's family is flying to Islamabad via the UAE and strict security measures have been put in place around the meeting venue at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officials said. Police and paramilitary security forces including sharpshooters have been deployed at the MOFA to deal with any untoward security situation.
Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife, mother land in Islamabad
Flight carrying Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife and mother lands in Islamabad amid heightened security arrangements all around the city and roads leading to the meeting venue
Input form News18
Sharpshooters deployed at meeting venue
Pakistani authorities said they have deployed sharpshooters at the foreign ministry's office where Kulbhushan Jadhav will meet his wife and mother, News18 reported. Jadhav would be meeting his family at the foreign office in Islamabad. The exact time of the meeting is not immediately known but officials said it would be around midday or early afternoon.
All roads leading to the MOFA have been sealed
Geo News reports, all roads leading to the office of Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Islamabad have been sealed. The flight carrying Kulbhushan Jadhav’s wife and mother will land within 20 minutes.
RECAP: Pakistan has repeatedly denied consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav
Pakistan has repeatedly denied India consular access to Jadhav on the ground that it was not applicable in cases related to spies. It said that Jadhav is not an ordinary person as he had entered the country with the intent of spying and carrying out sabotage activities.
Pakistan claims its security forces arrested Jadhav alias Hussein Mubarak Patel from its restive Balochistan province on 3 March 2016 after he reportedly entered from Iran. India, however, maintains that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy.
India's deputy high commissioner to accompany Kulbhushan's kin
India's deputy high commissioner in Pakistan, JP Singh, to accompany Kulbhushan Jhadav's wife and mother in their meeting with the Indian national, ANI quoted Pakistan media reports as saying.
India and Pakistan differ over consular access
"The MEA has taken a position that it this not a consular access. There is a chance that Pakistan might say that they have granted consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav but our position is clear regarding the same because the consular officer is not interviewing the detainee," former ambassador Yogendra Kumar told News18.
RECAP: Pakistan granted visas to Jadhav's kin on 20 December
Pakistan on 20 December issued visa to Jadhav's wife and mother to visit Islamabad to meet him. The development came after his family had applied for visas last week.Pakistan had agreed that a diplomat from the Indian high commission in Islamabad would accompany the visitors.
Visuals from Pakistan Foreign Office in Islamabad
Congress leader Manish Tewari questions Modi government
Deputy high commissioner accompanying Jadhav's family isn't 'consular access', clarifies India
Indian officials have downplayed the comments by Pakistani minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, reports News18, adding that they have been maintaining that the concerned Indian diplomat (JP Singh) was only accompanying Jadhav's family and it cannot be considered "consular access".
Here is what Pakistan Foreign Office said
Flight delayed by one hour
News 18 quoted The Dawn as saying that Jadhav's family will be reaching Islamabad via Dubai in a commercial flight. However, the report added that the flight has been delayed by an hour. This could further delay the meeting that was supposed to end before 4pm. The Pakistani publication was also quoted by News18 as saying that the flight from Dubai was supposed to reach Pakistan around 11am.
Ahead of wife's visit to Pakistan, friends, family organise bike rally in Mumbai
Friends and family of former Indian Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav organised a bike rally in his support in Mumbai on Sunday, a day before his mother and wife are scheduled to meet him in a Pakistani prison.
Organisers told PTI that the rally started from Arthur Road and culminated at Currey Road in Central Mumbai and drew a very good response.
"The bike rally and a human chain we formed are in support of our friend Kulbhushan Jadhav," said Subrato Mukherji, one of the hundreds who participated in the rally.
India's Deputy High Commissioner won't be meeting Jadhav today
Indian Deputy High Commissioner JP Singh, who is accompanying Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife and mother will not be allowed to meet him, reports News18.
Had India been in place of us, it would not have given us this concession: Asif on granting consular access to India
Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, on Geo News' programme 'Naya Pakistan', "confirmed that India has been given consular access to the convicted spy, describing it as a "concession," Geo News reported.
"Had India been in place of us, it would not have given us this concession." He, however, said that Pakistan allowed Jadhav's meeting with his mother and wife purely on "humanitarian grounds."
Noting that Jadhav's case is sub judice in the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the minister said they were also advised to allow the meeting. "We didn't want any weakness in our case in the ICJ over the meeting."
Pakistan grants India consular access to Jadhav
After rejecting consular access 22 times since his illegal detention, Pakistan grants India consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav. Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has reportedly informed Geo News about the latest development on a day when his wife and mother are visiting him in Islamabad.
A fortnight ago, Pakistan had written to ICJ again
A fortnight ago, Pakistan made a written submission to the International Court of Justice where it once again made the same charges of espionage and subversive activities against Jadhav.
India has clarified that he was a former Navy personnel who was doing legitimate business at Chabahar port in Iran. In fact, India has been seeking answers as to how he landed up in Balochistan from where he was apparently arrested. India believes he was kidnapped and false charges were foisted on him.
Deputy high commissioner of India will accompany Jadhav's wife, mom
On Pakistan issuing visa for Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife, India told its neighbour that she will be accompanied by her mother-in-law and sought a sovereign guarantee for their safety and security while in Pakistan.
After these demands were met, modalities for their travel were decided by India. Pakistan's foreign ministry spokesperson tweeted on Sunday that India's Deputy High Commissioner to Islamabad will be accompanying Jadhav's wife and mother in Pakistan.
Meeting sanctioned on humanitarian grounds: Khwaja Asif
Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif has claimed that Kulbhushan Jadhav's meeting with his family has been sanctioned on humanitarian grounds. He has said that Pakistan's security is paramount adding that India would not have shown such magnanimity in a similar situation.
22 months after being taken into detention, Jadhav will meet his family for the first time
Twenty-two months after Kulbhushan Jadhav was taken into illegal detention in Pakistan, his family will get a glimpse of him on Monday. It will be an emotional journey for his wife and mother who are travelling to Pakistan for a brief meeting an official from the Ministry of External Affairs has accompanied them on a commercial flight from Delhi. After 22 requests for consular access were denied to India, Pakistan made a sudden offer to allow Jadhav’s wife a meeting with him on what they claimed, “humanitarian grounds”.
15:46 (IST)
Jadhav’s family to return to India via Oman
Jadhav's mother and wife will leave for India today only. The family is expected to take a flight to New Delhi via Oman. They are expected to leave around 5 pm.
15:42 (IST)
Kulbhushan Jadhav's meeting with family ends
15:36 (IST)
Pakistan foreign office releases more images of the meeting
15:35 (IST)
After 30 minutes of time, the meeting time has been extended: Ary News
15:26 (IST)
Pakistan says Jadhav allowed to meet family on Jinnah's birthday
15:20 (IST)
Only mother, wife allowed to speak to Jadhav, Indian envoy witnesses meeting at a distance
15:17 (IST)
Watch: Jadhav meets family after 22 months
15:15 (IST)
Kulbhushan Jadhav meets family at Pakistan foreign office
15:11 (IST)
Jadhav met family across glass pane, conversation video recorded by Pakistan officials
14:51 (IST)
Jadhav's family to catch 11.10 pm flight to India via Oman
14:51 (IST)
Kulbhushan Jadhav finally meets family after 22 months
14:50 (IST)
It is very difficult to talk under strict security vigil and overwhelming emotions: Sarabjit's sister recalls her experience
Sarabjit's sister Dalbir Kaur, recalling her own experience of meeting her brother Sarabjit in Pakistan, told India Today that it was a difficult time. She said that there is no question of talking normally because of the constant and strict vigil of the officials. She also added that it is a very emotionally overwhelming moment and before she could control her emotions the meeting was already over and she was being ushered out by the Pakistani officials.
14:44 (IST)
Indian envoy to accompany Jadhav's family during the meet: NDTV
14:39 (IST)
Can understand what they are going through, says Sarabjit's sister Dalbir Kaur
Speaking to India Today, Dalbir Kaur, sister of Sarabjit Singh, said that she can understand what Jadhav's family is going through. "I know very well what they are going through right now... I remember even I was given half an hour 20 minutes to meet my brother but I couldn't stop crying after seeing him. There was very little time given and I spent most of it crying."
14:36 (IST)
Jadhav's family won't talk to media
According to CNN-News18 Jadhav’s wife and mother will not be speak to the media but officials of the Pakistan foreign office will brief the media persons present at the venue after the meeting.
14:29 (IST)
Pakistan says consular access to Jadhav not given
The Pakistan Foreign Office on Monday clarified that India has not been given consular access to alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, ahead of his meeting with his wife and mother here.
Foreign Office spokesperson Muhammad Faisal said the presence of an Indian diplomat during the scheduled meeting between Jadhav and his family does not mean India has been given consular access to Jadhav, on death row in Pakistan.
Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif earlier had said that India had been given consular access to the Jadhav, describing it as a "concession".
14:18 (IST)
Pakistan foreign office tweets picture of Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife, mother inside official premises. "We honour our commitments," the tweet adds.
14:12 (IST)
Meeting begins
Reports from Pakistan say the family members of Kulbhushan Jadhav has met him at the Pakistan Foreign Office in Islamabad. This is the first time Jadhav has been allowed to meet anyone from India since his detention in March 2016.
14:08 (IST)
More visuals from outside Pakistan foreign office | Meet to begin in minutes
14:04 (IST)
Visuals from outside Pakistan foreign office
14:01 (IST)
Kulbhushan Jadhav's family enters Pakistan foreign ministry with Deputy High Commissioner JP Singh, meeting to begin in five to ten minutes
13:59 (IST)
Kulbhushan Jadhav's family reaches Pakistan foreign ministry along with Deputy High Commissioner JP Singh
13:57 (IST)
Jadhav's family leaves for Pakistan foreign office
13:48 (IST)
Kulbhushan Jadhav's meeting with family likely to last 30 minutes
Reports suggest Kulbhushan Jadhav will be allowed to see his wife and mother only for a short duration of 30 minutes. This much-awaited meeting comes 22 months after Jadhav was allegedly illegally detained by the Pakistani authorities in March 2016.
13:42 (IST)
Kulbhushan Jadhav's family leaves Indian High Commission
Pakistani media reports Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife and mother have left for the foreign office in Islamabad after paying a visit at the Indian High Commission
13:38 (IST)
Photos, video of meeting to be released to media
Pakistan has announced it would issue photos and a video of the meeting and also allow the family to interact with media, if India agrees. Officials also said Jadhav's family would not interact with the media.
13:36 (IST)
Special passes allotted for road travel near foreign office
Roads leading to the Constitution Avenue, on which Ministry Of Foreign Affairs is located, have been closed for traffic. Special security passes have been issued for those visiting the Foreign Office, officials said.
13:29 (IST)
Pakistan foreign office clarifies position on consular access
Clarifying earlier reports in the media, Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal said the presence of an Indian diplomat during the scheduled meeting between Jadhav and his family does not mean Jadhav has been given Indian consular access.
13:21 (IST)
Kulbhushan Jadhav's family reaches Indian High Commission in Islamabad
13:19 (IST)
Jadhav's family to return to India via Oman
Jadhav's family would be immediately travelling back to India via Oman. They will travel to Muscat on Oman Air, and then will board an Air India flight to New Delhi, Dawn News reported.
The Oman Air flight is scheduled to depart at 6.15 pm from Islamabad to Muscat, according to Islamabad airport authorities.
According to the Oman airport website, flight AI-974 is scheduled to depart for Delhi at 11.10 pm from Oman.
13:04 (IST)
First Indian access to Kulbhushan Jadhav in Pakistan
This is the first access anyone from India will have access to former Indian Naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was allegedly illegally detained by Pakistani officials in March 2016.
Pakistan authorities granted visas to Jadhav's wife and mother while denying consular access to India 22 times in a row since his arrest last year.
12:59 (IST)
Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife and mother to first visit Indian High Commission in Islamabad
12:55 (IST)
Jadhav's family to return to India this evening
Kulbhushan Jadhav's family would be travelling immediately back to India in the evening after spending barely seven hour in the country, according to reports. Jadhav's wife and mother arrived in Islamabad via Dubai. They would be spending around seven hours in the country before returning to India.
12:49 (IST)
Heavy security arranged near the meeting venue
Pakistan Rangers, anti-terrorism squads and sharp shooters deployed on rooftops, traffic disallowed in the area
12:42 (IST)
No official statement on consular access yet
The Pakistan Foreign Office has not officially confirmed if Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan, JP Singh's presence in the meeting would be treated equivalent to providing "consular access".
It was also not clear if Singh would be allowed to interact with Jadhav during the meeting with his family or he would be a silent spectator.
12:38 (IST)
Some local and international media outlets have been allowed to enter the Foreign Office premises, reports say
12:36 (IST)
Visuals from outside Pakistan's foreign office
12:34 (IST)
Pakistan foreign office officials also to be present in meeting
In addition to the Indian official, a couple of Ministry of Foreign Office officials will also be present during the meeting between Kulbhushan Jadhav and his family members, which could last between 15 minutes and one hour, according to sources
12:30 (IST)
"Pakistan permits the meeting of wife and mother of commander Jadhav with him, as a humanitarian gesture, on the birthday of the father of the nation, Quaid E Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah," Pakistan's foreign office says in a statement on Twitter
12:28 (IST)
Visuals from Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the meeting is about to begin
12:25 (IST)
Visuals from outside the meeting venue
12:23 (IST)
Meeting between Kulbhushan Jadav, kin may last upto an hour
Duration of the meeting between Kulbhushan Jadhav and his family members has not been confirmed yet but it may last an hour, says sources in the Pakistan Foreign Office.
Jadhav's family is flying to Islamabad via the UAE and strict security measures have been put in place around the meeting venue at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officials said. Police and paramilitary security forces including sharpshooters have been deployed at the MOFA to deal with any untoward security situation.
12:11 (IST)
Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife, mother land in Islamabad
Flight carrying Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife and mother lands in Islamabad amid heightened security arrangements all around the city and roads leading to the meeting venue
Input form News18
12:07 (IST)
Sharpshooters deployed at meeting venue
Pakistani authorities said they have deployed sharpshooters at the foreign ministry's office where Kulbhushan Jadhav will meet his wife and mother, News18 reported. Jadhav would be meeting his family at the foreign office in Islamabad. The exact time of the meeting is not immediately known but officials said it would be around midday or early afternoon.
12:06 (IST)
All roads leading to the MOFA have been sealed
Geo News reports, all roads leading to the office of Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Islamabad have been sealed. The flight carrying Kulbhushan Jadhav’s wife and mother will land within 20 minutes.
11:56 (IST)
RECAP: Pakistan has repeatedly denied consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav
Pakistan has repeatedly denied India consular access to Jadhav on the ground that it was not applicable in cases related to spies. It said that Jadhav is not an ordinary person as he had entered the country with the intent of spying and carrying out sabotage activities.
Pakistan claims its security forces arrested Jadhav alias Hussein Mubarak Patel from its restive Balochistan province on 3 March 2016 after he reportedly entered from Iran. India, however, maintains that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy.
11:53 (IST)
India's deputy high commissioner to accompany Kulbhushan's kin
India's deputy high commissioner in Pakistan, JP Singh, to accompany Kulbhushan Jhadav's wife and mother in their meeting with the Indian national, ANI quoted Pakistan media reports as saying.
11:48 (IST)
India and Pakistan differ over consular access
"The MEA has taken a position that it this not a consular access. There is a chance that Pakistan might say that they have granted consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav but our position is clear regarding the same because the consular officer is not interviewing the detainee," former ambassador Yogendra Kumar told News18.
11:45 (IST)
RECAP: Pakistan granted visas to Jadhav's kin on 20 December
Pakistan on 20 December issued visa to Jadhav's wife and mother to visit Islamabad to meet him. The development came after his family had applied for visas last week.Pakistan had agreed that a diplomat from the Indian high commission in Islamabad would accompany the visitors.
11:42 (IST)
Visuals from Pakistan Foreign Office in Islamabad