Decision On Kulbhushan Jadhav's Mercy Plea Now With Pakistan Army Chief

New Delhi: Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa is "analysing" the evidence against Kulbhushan Jadhav - the Indian national who has been sentenced to death -- the Pakistani Army said on Sunday. His mercy petition has already been rejected by a military court. General Bajwa, before whom a mercy petition was filed last month, will decide the case on merit, ISPR, the media wing of the Pak army, said in a statement. Another mercy petition, filed by Mr Jadhav's mother, is also being examined by the Pakistani authorities.

A military court in Pakistan had sentenced Mr Jadhav to death in April, accusing him of spying. India has rubbished the allegations.

Following an appeal by India, the International Court of Justice in The Hague has asked Pakistan to hold off the execution of Mr Jadhav till it reached its final verdict. The court also agreed with India that Pakistan had illegally withheld consular access to Mr Jadhav.

But even after the International Court's interim order, Pakistan has not allowed consular access to Mr Jadhav and there has been no progress through diplomatic channels.

Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj recently launched a verbal attack on Pakistan's foreign affairs advisor Sartaz Aziz, after her letter regarding a visa application of Mr Jadhav's mother, failed to get a response. Pakistan, Ms Swaraj said, has "no courtesy".

Pakistan has argued that spies are not entitled to consular access following an agreement made with India in 2008.

Pakistan claims Mr Jadhav was arrested from the restive Balochistan province on March 3. India said the former Navy officer was kidnapped from Iran, where he was running a successful business.