'Pak awaits response on offer to host meeting between Jadhav and his wife'

Pakistan last week said it will allow 46-year-old Jadhav to meet his wife, months after India had requested Islamabad to grant a visa to his mother on humanitarian grounds.

During his weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said Pakistan was awaiting India's response on the offer.

Jadhav, a former Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court in April on charges of espionage and terrorism. The International Court of Justice in May halted his execution on India's appeal.

Pakistan has repeatedly denied India consular access to Jadhav on the ground that it was not applicable in cases related to spies.

Some media reports have linked Pakistan's offer to the quiet efforts by the US.

Pakistan, however, insisted that the offer was made purely on the humanitarian grounds.

Jadhav has filed an appeal with Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa to seek clemency, which is still pending.

Last month, the Pakistan Army had said it is close to a decision on the mercy petition of Jadhav.Pakistan claims its security forces arrested him from restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran.