India suppressing facts by calling Jadhav a ‘common prisoner:’ FO

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) said on Sunday India is suppressing facts by calling spy Kulbushan Jadhav a ‘common prisoner.’

A statement released by the FO rejected the Indian External Affairs Ministry's statement on Jadhav and said Pakistan is working to implement the two-way agreement and will implement the consular access agreement in its true essence.

The FO statement followed India's demand to be granted consular access to Jadhav when the two countries exchanged lists of nationals of each country in jails of the other in accordance with the 2008 bilateral agreement on consular access. Both sides share such lists twice a year on January 1 and July 1 according to the agreement.

The FO further stated that Indian intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) sent Jadhav to Pakistan to disrupt the country’s peace, and the spy confessed to his crimes.

“Jadhav’s activities have affected the lives of many Pakistanis,” the FO statement read.

Pakistan released five Indian prisoners on June 22 after they completed their sentence, however, India has yet to release 20 Pakistanis who have duly completed their sentence, the FO spokesperson said.

He further added that Pakistan has not been given consular access to 107 fishermen and 85 citizens in Indian custody.

“Despite an Indian court’s orders to release minor Ali Raza and Babar Ali who mistakenly crossed the border, a one-year delay in their release was caused,” the FO said.