Daily Times

ISLAMABAD – The government has appointed a former Chief Justice Tassaduq Jilani as an ad-hoc judge at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to represent and defend Pakistan’s side in the Khulbhushan Jadhav case.

The decision to appoint, former chief justice Tassaduq was decided after a thorough consultation with all the representing stakeholders in this case.

This decision was endorsed by the prime minister, who signed a summary sent by the law ministry in regards to Jilani’s appointment as the ad-hoc judge to represent this case at ICJ.

According to the Article 13 of the International Court of Justice, Pakistan can send an ad-hoc judge. Pakistan was previously represented by renowned lawyer Khawar Qureshi to defend its position at ICJ.

Earlier this month at a high-level meeting headed by Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf Ali discussed Pakistan’s strategy and responses to India’s 22-page report submitted before the ICJ.

In the meeting, representatives of the Foreign Office and the Ministry of law were present with all the concerned stakeholders against the Jadhav case.

Khulbhushan Jadhav, a 46-year-old retired Indian Navy officer, was first arrested in March 2016 from Baluchistan by Pakistan’s security forces and then tried at the military court which sentenced him to death on the charges of being involved in subversive activities and espionage.

On May 18, India approached ICJ to restrain Pakistan from carrying out Jadhav’s execution.

The ICJ has requested Pakistan to submit a written response by December 13 before the court could proceed with this case.