Indian steel tycoon Sajjan Jindal calls on PM Nawaz in secrecy

Murree: An Indian delegation led by businessman and entrepreneur Sajjan Jindal called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Murree on Wednesday and flew back to India.

The three-member Indian delegation went to Murree where they had lunch with Nawaz Sharif. Sajjan Jindal spent some hours in Pakistan and went back to his country.

The delegation conveyed the message of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to PM Sharif. The sources said the efforts are afoot to pave the way for a meeting between Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), an emerging economic and security alliance.

However, when asked, Foreign Office spokesman was unaware of the arrival of the Indian delegation in Pakistan.

Meantime, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) expressed reservation over the arrival of Indian delegation and submitted a resolution in Punjab Assembly. The PTI also decided to raise voice over the issue in the Parliament.

PTI leader and Opposition leader in Punjab Assembly Mehmood-ur-Rasheed tabled the resolution. The resolution states Indian delegation flew to Pakistan to rescue the beleaguered Prime Minister. The resolution demanded the house and masses be apprised of motives behind this visit.

Voicing reservations over arrival of the delegation, the PTI spokesman Fawad Chaudhry said, “We are concerned over the visit. PM Sharif has business relations with Indians.”

It is not a mere coincidence that Newsgate scandal report and arrival of Jindal were timed so close, he added.

Hindustan Times Reported

The steel magnate, Sajjan met Nawaz Sharif, sparking speculation that he may have been involved in efforts to revive the stalled dialogue between the two countries.

The delegations, who flew into the Rawalpindi airport in a private aircraft, was received by Nawaz Sharif’s son Hussain Nawaz and Raheel Munir, a businessman who is the husband of Sharif’s granddaughter Mehr-un-Nisa.

The delegation then travelled to the Prime Minister’s House in the capital for a meeting.

Later, Jindal and his delegation were driven to the resort of Murree for a meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Indian External affairs ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay said he had “no information” on the meeting.

Maryam Nawaz Confirms Meeting

Maryam Nawaz confirmed meeting between PM Nawaz Sharif and Jindal, saying “Mr Jindal is an old friend of the Prime Minister.”

Mr. Jindal is an old friend of the Prime Minister. Nothing 'secret' about the meeting & should not be blown out of proportion. Thank you.

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) April 27, 2017

In a tweet, Maryam said, “Nothing 'secret' about the meeting and should not be blown out of proportion.” (Courtesy Hindustan Times/NNI)