London, July 8 (TIWN) The judge of a UK court has denied Pakistan the right to level corruption allegations as a defence and challenge the jurisdiction of an arbitral tribunal in the Reko Diq mines case.

Judge Robin Khowles of the High Court of Justice, who was hearing the case 'Province of Balochistan vs Tethyan Copper Company' (TCC), rejected Balochistan's position.  Balochistan, referring to a Supreme Court decision, contended that the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) tribunal lacked jurisdiction in the Reko Diq case as the underlying agreement was void due to corruption.