Consular access not given, Kulbhushan's meeting with wife and mother allowed on 'humanitarian ground': Pak

Pakistan on Monday said that it allowed the mother and wife of former Indian Navy official Kulbhushan Jadhav to meet him as a humanitarian gesture to mark the birthday of the country's founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah. 

Accompanied by Deputy High Commissioner J P Singh, Jadhav's wife Chetankul and mother Avanti met him at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Islamabad. A glass wall was put between Jadhav and the rest during the meeting. 

Speaking to media after the meeting, Dr Mohammad Faisal​, the spokesperson of the Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the meeting was not a "consular access" as the diplomat was present but was not allowed to speak to Jadhav. "This was conveyed to Indian High Commission categorically," he said. 

"An Indian diplomat was present during the meeting and he could see Jadhav but he was not allowed to speak to him," Faisal​ said. 

It was the first meeting between Jadhav and his family since his arrest in March last year. 

The meeting was scheduled for 30 minutes, but it was extended for 10 more minutes on the request of Jadhav and his family members, the spokesperson ​said. 

"The meeting was very positive and they (Jadhav's mother and wife) were satisfied. They thanked us before leaving," Faisal said.

On the question why a glass wall was put between them during the meeting, he said it was done "for security reasons."

"We had already told them that you will be able to meet him but a security barrier would be there he said. 

Earlier, Pakistan released a video of Jadhav in which he thanked the Pak government for 'grand gesture'. 

"I requested a meeting with my wife and mother and I am thankful to government of Pakistan for this grand gesture," he was heard saying in the video which was played several times before the Foreign Office briefing.

The video message played by the Foreign Office during a press conference after Jadhav's meeting with his family was recorded before their meeting, officials said.

During the press conference, the spokesperson read out a statement repeating old allegations against Jadhav. He said he was involved in "terror activities" and was "face of Indian terror on Pakistani soil." 

Jadhav was sentenced to death by a military court on charges of espionage and terrorism. India maintains that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy.