This Article is From Apr 11, 2017

After Kulbhushan Jadhav Sentence, Bilawal Bhutto Says His Party's Against Capital Punishment

After Kulbhushan Jadhav Sentence, Bilawal Bhutto Says His Party's Against Capital Punishment

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari indirectly opposed the death sentence handed out to Kulbhushan Jadhav (File)

Lahore: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari today indirectly opposed the death sentence handed out to Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav for "spying", saying the issue is controversial but his party is against capital punishment "on principle". "The issue of Kulbhushan Jadhav is controversial. He must not have been here in the first place," Mr Bhutto told reporters. Recalling that his maternal grandfather Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was also sentenced to death, he said his party is against capital punishment on principle.

PPP Punjab president and former federal information minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said India's reaction on Mr Jadhav's death sentence was "natural".

"In fact Nawaz Sharif government has failed to tell the world about the charge sheet on Jadhav. Had India arrested such a Pakistani spy it would have propagated a lot in the world," he said.

Pakistan's former attorney general Anwar Mansoor Khan said Jadhav can file a review appeal before the army chief or the Supreme Court against his sentence.

"In case of rejection of his petition, he may file mercy plea before the President," he said, adding this is a long process and it may take more than two years.

Pakistan sentenced Mr Jadhav to death for carrying out espionage and sabotage activities in Balochistan and Karachi, the military's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) had said in a statement.

According to ISPR, Jadhav alias Hussein Mubarak Patel was arrested on March 3, 2016 from Mashkel area of Balochistan for his "involvement in espionage and sabotage actives" in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province and Karachi city.

India had acknowledged that Mr Jadhav had served with the navy but denied that he has any connection with the government.
.