Daily Times

LAHORE: Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif has categorically rejected the Indian criticism regarding convicted Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav’s meeting with his family in Pakistan.

According to a press release issued by the Foreign Office (FO), the foreign minister said Jadhav’s family was treated with dignity and respect, adding that the removal of jewellery was entirely for security reasons.

Earlier India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has blamed Pakistan of disrespecting the cultural and religious sensibilities of Jadhav’s family, alleging they were asked to change their clothes, and that his wife was ordered to remove her “mangal sutra” — a necklace worn by married Hindu women.

Pakistan has said that there was an electronic chip in the shoe of Jadhav’s wife, a claim that has been rejected by the Indian side.

In his statement, Khawaja Asif reiterated Pakistan’s stance saying a comprehensive security check was necessary, which was earlier agreed upon by both the sides through diplomatic channels.

He said that the details of the screening of the shoe will also be shared with media in the next two days.

“After the meeting, the visitor changed into their own clothes, and all their belongings, except the suspicious shoe, were returned to them before they left,” said Khawaja Asif.

Denying the Indian accusations that the visit was being used for propaganda purposes by Pakistan, he said Pakistan allowed Jadhav to meet with his family on humanitarian grounds, in line with Islamic teachings and in the tradition of compassion and grace.