Analysts, journalists and political leaders in Pakistan came out with their reactions soon after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) asked that country not to execute Kulbhushan Jadhav, the man it convicted in April on charges of espionage and sabotage activities.
The reactions from the Pakistani side were, however, mixed, the Dawn reported. Some felt that India would give a strong reaction; other said there would be no remarkable shift in the relationship between the two countries.
Also read: What happened at ICJ hearing on May 18
India will react strongly, feels former Pak lieutenant-general
Talat Masood, a retired lieutenant general, said for instance that India would come up with a strong reaction. "For a long time now Pakistan has struggled to prove India's involvement in Pakistan's destabilisation," the Dawn quoted him as saying.
Also read: Kulbhushan Jadhav: Why International Court of Justice's move is only a temporary relief for India
He said Pakistani ambassadors have approached various countries to seek help and also produced evidence but it did not prove to be of much help. He said now that Pakistan has made its "right" move, it should also be prepared for India's "retaliation". According to Masood, Pakistan could also see a rise in "Line of Control violations" after the ICJ's verdict came out.
Verdict will not affect India-Pakistan terms, feels another Pak analyst
Retired air marshal Shahzad Chaudhry, however, felt the terms between India and Pakistan would not affected by the ICJ's decision, the Dawn report added. "I think both countries should agree that there is much to be discussed and look past this and the situation would remain as it is, that would be the sensible thing to do," he said, as the report.
Noted Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir, in a tone of self-assessment, said Pakistan should share the evidence found against Jadhav with the people, both at home and internationally. He felt India should not react to the news, just like the Pakistanis hadn't when Ajmal Kasab was hanged by the Indian authorities in November 2012.
He said no party or institution in Pakistan had condemned Kasab's execution for the country believed that if he was guilty, he should have been sentenced as per the law in India.
Former Pak interior minister Rehman Malik wants Jadhav hanged
Rehman Malik, a senior Pakistan People's Party leader and a former minister, said if Jadhav is proved to be guilty, Pakistan has every right to execute him, the Dawn report added. He said Pakistan is a sovereign state. He also took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying those who were feeling unsure about the move should not forget that the PM had openly conceded that India had a hand in breaking up Pakistan.
Country united behind decision to execute Jadhav: PTI leader
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leader Asad Umer said the country is united behind the decision to hang Jadhav.
RAW will be on back foot, says Balochistan home minister
Balochistan's Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti said Indian intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) would go on the defensive as a result of the ICJ's call.
