ISLAMABAD: The government should have sent the attorney-general to contest Pakistan?s case in the International Court of Justice (ICJ), said opposition leader Khursheed Shah on Friday.

Talking to the media in Islamabad, the Pakistan Peoples Party leader claimed that if Pakistan had a foreign minister, then maybe the outcome [of the ICJ hearing] would have been different.

Terming the ICJ decision [temporarily staying Kulbhushan Jadhav?s execution] a ?setback?, Shah said the government?s negligence is evident.

He claimed the government tried to keep secret the meeting of Indian businessman Sajjan Jindal and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif; with neither the premier or his spokesperson divulging what transpired in the meeting.

Late last month, Jindal ? said to be close to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ?held a ?surprise? meeting with Sharif in the hilltown of Murree which led to rumours about the true nature of the visit.

He also said that the Dawn Leaks report should be presented in Parliament for debate. 

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The ICJ on Thursday ordered Pakistan to halt the execution of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav until a final decision in the proceedings.

Read more: ICJ stays execution of Indian spy Jadhav pending final decision

"Pakistan shall take all measures at its disposal to ensure that Jadhav is not executed pending the final decision in these proceedings," ordered Judge Ronny Abraham, president of the court, as he announced the decision.

The ICJ rejected Pakistan's stance and stated that the court had jurisdiction and would hear the case and seek arguments from both parties.