Maryam Nawaz says Indian businessman Jindal an 'old friend' of prime minister

E-Paper | March 18, 2026

Daughter of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, tweeted on Thursday that Sajjan Jindal is an old friend of the prime minister and there was "nothing secret about the meeting" between the two.

The meeting between the Indian industrialist and the premier took place on Wednesday, according to media reports.

She also said that the meeting between the two should "not be blown out of proportion.

Local media reported that the Indian businessman had met the prime minister in Murree, where Nawaz was on a personal trip.

The Foreign Office, in reply to a question, had stated that it was unaware of a meeting between the two.

A resolution had also been submitted by Mian Mehmood Rasheed in the Punjab Assembly demanding that the meeting's agenda and discussion be made public.

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Zia

Apr 27, 2017 11:44pm

So this time it is not going to be Saudia UAE or London but neighbour India. Far sighted PM.

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kaspar

Apr 27, 2017 11:58pm

Perhaps the PM has forgotten that as the custodian of national interest by virtue of his post, he ought to be more careful in inviting old friends and entertaining them. It is said the meeting took place in Murree for which Sajjan had no visa. Moreover, the meeting, if unofficial, could take place in another country at another time. If it was official, what exactly was the agenda of the meeting and why did it take place in such secrecy without official announcement? Voices are already being raised.

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Fareed N

Apr 28, 2017 12:04am

May be Jindal was carrying a message from Narendra Modi, a personal message of wishing good luck while our PM is about to face JIT.

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shiraz

Apr 28, 2017 12:05am

...an old business partner friend.

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Apr 28, 2017 12:07am

Maryam Nawaz is correct. The PM has the right to meet with his personal friends - even Indian friends. What is the big deal about it?

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The_Truth

Apr 28, 2017 12:36am

Jindal is the same man who bought many news channels in India so that they don't publish it's corruption. He is a corrupt person. And Mr Nawaz "the Sharifest person alive" meets him says the volume of corrupted this person is. I hoping JIT will disqualify this looter and SCP will put him behind the bar for all his wrongdoings.

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Mihammad tahir

Apr 28, 2017 12:46am

This time NS will bring letter from India for JIT.

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RAJENDRA TIWARI

Apr 28, 2017 01:27am

As stated the prime minister was on a personal trip and the meeting was with a personal friend; therefore, the agenda and discussion not subject to public disclosure. Mr. Sharif, although a public figure as a prime minister, he still has right to privacy in private matters.

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robert

Apr 28, 2017 01:58am

i find dawn to be a first rate newspaper- has liberal views, and provides a lot of useful information- was glad to read accounts of the sadkillingof mashal- respect to his family

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Muslim Medina

Apr 28, 2017 02:38am

This meeting will give birth to speculations and conspiracy theories. The prime minister should have issued statement and not his daughter clarifying why so much secrecy was kept about the visit of Indian steel tycoon. P.M. also owns steel industry and the sooner he clarifies his position the better it will be for Pakistan.

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Aslam Khan

Apr 28, 2017 02:57am

The Qatri prince is also an old family friend who managed to provide fake evidence proving you innocent in Panama case. There must be certainly a huge scandal behind.

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Samih khan

Apr 28, 2017 03:02am

Jindal is a British citizen. Nothing is wrong when NS has a contact with him to have his company's investment in Pakistan.

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UFO

Apr 28, 2017 03:05am

They should be able to provide any old pictures with their old friend too.

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majeed

Apr 28, 2017 03:34am

whats the big deal if two met, cant PM has personal friends

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salman

Apr 28, 2017 03:41am

Old friend aka business partner? I wish nawaz would for once put Pakistan before his bank balance.

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Akil Akhtar

Apr 28, 2017 04:10am

How shameful....the NS and family do not seem to have any respect for the position they hold and for the nation.....why is a personal friend given official protocol and met secretly in Murree.....

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SYED ANJUM ali

Apr 28, 2017 04:40am

It is not a crime for anyone in Pakistan to have an Indian friend. However, people in important public positions, especially heads of state/government eg President, PM etcetera must openly and transparently declare and inform the public about any meetings with nationals of hostile or unfriendly countries. This is expected as a price of public office. If PM or his daughter are so very concerned about privacy that should quit the limelight.

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Chacha

Apr 28, 2017 04:54am

That's why businessman should never be elected as a prime minister, they will always be preoccupied and have their business in their mind and prime minster position is a extremely important position and not a part time job . The results are obvious. We need people who are fully focused and are not balancing their time between personal business and national issues.

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S. A. M.

Apr 28, 2017 05:05am

nobody is saying anything i don't know why maryam is giving explanation as if there's something wrong in it.

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Akil Akhtar

Apr 28, 2017 05:23am

When you become a PM you need to be careful how you mix with your old friend especially if they happen to be from enemy country....NS and family do not seem to understand.

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Akil Akhtar

Apr 28, 2017 05:23am

Why is NS friends with so many indians....

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oricle

Apr 28, 2017 05:44am

I see nothing wrong with meetings old friends,lets all be grown ups here.

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maverik

Apr 28, 2017 05:51am

It is strange that even the Foreign Office was unaware of "not so secret" meeting. Apparently the ruling family is unfamiliar with the concept of "conflict of interest".

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Shan

Apr 28, 2017 06:02am

Indians are best friend of Nawaz. It is imran khan another Pakistani who is Nawaz's enemy no. 1. It's tragic.

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Jay

Apr 28, 2017 06:15am

PM indicates his soft heart for India due to his business interests there. This is direct conflict of interest, if people can understand. PM should clarify his position in this regard.

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Vallabh Patel

Apr 28, 2017 06:21am

A friend in need is a friend indeed. Here only matters is what the 'need' is.

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Ahaq

Apr 28, 2017 07:12am

PM should be transparent particularly about meetings with Indian citizens

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javed

Apr 28, 2017 07:40am

Respected sister could you please elaborate on the total number of 'old Indian friends' of your father.

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Khan USA

Apr 28, 2017 07:41am

Indians are good friend of Nawaz and Shareef family but Indians are not friends of Pakistan !

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Apr 28, 2017 07:52am

How does it make difference if old or new friend.

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JKhan

Apr 28, 2017 08:35am

We know it!!?!

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azam khan

Apr 28, 2017 08:50am

Why does Maryam Nawaz have to give an explanation on Jindals visit. Has she taken up the role of the foreign minister as well.

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Abbas syed

Apr 28, 2017 08:52am

I was born in India where I have a large number of relatives and both Hindu and Muslim friends, whom I left behind when my parents moved to Pakistan after indpendence from Great Britain in 1947. To this day I keep in touch with my relatives and friends in India. Does my loyalty to Pakistan becomes suspect by my contact with them. The proposed resolution by Main Mohammed Rasheed is childish snd immature attempt to score political points.

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Abid Hafeez

Apr 28, 2017 09:43am

She says he is PM's old friend, at this juncture when India and Pakistan are at verge of diversity, no one would say its sensible to meet somebody from our arch-rival, it smells fishy. Whereas on the other hand, Indians are showing their utmost animosity towards muslims living in India, let alone Pakistani across the border. Adityanath Yogi cancelled holidays on muslim tiruals in schools in UP declaring it a waste of time, infact inflicting the hatred he has for minorities living in India. A couple of guys at Delhi metro didn't let an old muslim man sit on the elderly reserved seat, saying "go to Pakistan" if you want to get this 'right' because you are no more respected in India, yet our PM is showing friendly attitude towards Indians.

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