Pak media reported that Sartaj Aziz said there was no conclusive evidence agaist Kulbhushan Yadav.
Highlights
- Sartaj Aziz reportedly said proof against Kulbhushan Yadav insufficient
- Pak arrested Kulbhushan Yadav in March on charge of espionage
- India has rejected claims that he works for Intel agency RAW
Pakistan has denied media reports that its Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz said the evidence against Kulbhushan Yadav -- a former Indian Navy officer kept in detention for alleged spying -- is "insufficient".
Mr Yadav has been under detention since his arrest on March 3, when he visited Pakistan from Iran.
It was reported that Mr Aziz, while addressing a full Senate chamber, said the dossier on Mr Yadav contained "mere statements". "It did not have any conclusive evidence," he was quoted as saying by Pakistan's Geo TV. "What the dossier contained was not enough. Now it is up to the concerned authorities how long they take to give us more matter on the agent," Mr Aziz reportedly said.
"The statement attributed to the Adviser is absolutely incorrect," said a Pakistan government spokesperson. "The Adviser had said the investigations regarding the network of Kulbhushan Yadav are ongoing and the dossier shall be completed upon conclusion of the investigation. There is irrefutable proof against Kulbhushan Yadav, who had also made a public confession in March this year."
Kulbhushan Yadav, a former officer of the Indian Navy was arrested in Pakistan on charges of espionage.
Mr Aziz, the spokesperson said, had also "condemned the continued Indian interference in the internal affairs of Pakistan". He also urged the international community to take immediate notice of the violation of international law by India, the spokesperson said.
The Pakistan Army had released what they called a "confessional video" of Mr Jadhav, in which he is seen saying that he is working for India's top intel agency, RAW, is still with the Indian Navy and is due to retire in 2022.
The Centre has said the video has "no basis in fact". That the individual claims to make the statements of his own free will not only challenges credulity but clearly indicates tutoring," a statement by the Foreign Ministry had said.
India has said that Mr Yadav had been running a legitimate business in Iran. "Our enquiries reveal that he apparently was being harassed while operating a legitimate business from Iran. While we probe this aspect further, his presence now in Pakistan raises questions, including the possibility of his abduction from Iran," the government said.