Islamabad, Dec 8 (PTI) Pakistan on Friday said it will allow convicted Indian death row prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav to meet his wife and mother on December 25

Jadhav, 47, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court in April on charges of espionage and terrorism

The International Court of Justice in May had halted his execution on India's appeal

Jadhav has been allowed to meet his wife and mother on December 25, Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisal said

During his weekly news briefing, the spokesman said a staff member from the Indian High Commission will also be present during the meeting

Earlier on November 10, Pakistan had agreed to allow his wife to meet him

India has been pressing Pakistan to grant a visa to Jadhav's mother, Avantika, on humanitarian grounds

External Affairs Minister Sushma Sawraj had recently discussed Jadhav's case with Pakistani High Commissioner to New Delhi Sohail Mahmood

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

Jadhav had filed an appeal with Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa to seek clemency, which is still pending

In October, 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. However, India maintains that Jadhav was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy

Jadhav's sentencing had evoked a sharp reaction in India

After India approached the International Court of Justice, a 10-member bench on May 18 restrained Pakistan from executing Jadhav till adjudication of the case

The ICJ has asked Pakistan to submit its response or memorial by December 13 before the court could start further proceedings in the case.

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Bengaluru (PTI): Kannada and Culture Minister of Karnataka, Shivaraj Tangadagi, on Friday said a delegation from the state will meet President Droupadi Murmu to protect the Kannadigas in Kasargod of Kerala against the Malayalam imposition on them.

He also said due to the Kerala government's Malayalam Language Bill, the border regions having Kannada population are in trouble.

Speaking to reporters, Tangadagi said that according to article 350(b) of the Indian constitution, linguistic minorities should be protected, Kerala-Kasaragod linguistic officer should be appointed and the opinion of people living there should be taken.

“The Malayalam Language Bill sent to the Governor for assent has put the Kannadigas in the border towns in trouble. We will meet the President of India Droupadi Murmu and apprise her about the development,” the minister said.

According to him, there are about 7.5 lakh Kannadigas in Kasargod region of Kerala. There are about 210 Kannada schools functioning in the border regions.

“Injustice should not be meted out to the Kannadigas. We also will not let it happen. I am also considering to send a team to Kasaragod,” the Minister said.

The Karnataka Border Area Development Authority (KBADA) secretary Prakash Mattihalli met Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and apprised him about the situation. He has also requested him not to give assent to the bill, Tangadagi said.

“I will also take the matter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s notice and on the measures to be taken,” he said.