Pakistan will not relinquish claim on Jinnah House in Mumbai: FO
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The Foreign Office on Thursday said Pakistan will not forfeit its claim to Jinnah House, the mansion owned by Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Mumbai prior to Partition.
Jinnah House had been caught in a legal battle between the government of India and Jinnah’s daughter, Dina Wadia. Wadia had in 2007 moved the Bombay High Court to regain control of the estate. She passed away last year in November.
Pakistan's announcement of not relinquishing its claim on the house came a day after Indian Minister for External Affairs Shusma Swaraj announced that the Indian government will be turning the estate into an international convention centre after the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) transferred ownership of the house to her ministry.
According to India Today, Swaraj — in a letter to BJP legislator Mangal Prabhat Lodha — said that her ministry will refurbish the bungalow on the lines of Hyderabad House in Delhi.
“The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has instructed us to renovate and refurbish Jinnah House to develop it on the pattern of facilities available in Hyderabad House in Delhi. Accordingly, approval of the PMO was sought for transfer of the property from ICCR to our ministry. PMO has now accorded necessary approvals,” Swaraj was quoted as saying.
On the matter of Indian spy Hamid Nehal Ansari, the FO spokesperson said that Pakistan operates under the rule of law and therefore cannot hold a prisoner back once their sentence is complete.
"This [Ansari's release] does not mean we have moved from our stance on the Kashmir dispute."
Dr Faisal further clarified that the land of Kartarpur is not being 'handed over' to India and "any questions pertaining to this matter are baseless."
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On DawnNews
Comments (77) Closed
Dec 20, 2018 02:25pm
Unnecessary attempt by Pakistan to claim Jinnhas' house, which is inside India.
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Dec 20, 2018 02:26pm
There was Raj Kapoor's house in Pakistan, and in ruins, and India or the Kapoor family never claimed.
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Dec 20, 2018 02:27pm
Pakistan has no authority of any properties in India.
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Dec 20, 2018 02:30pm
Statements for local consumptions. Fact - such claims hold no ground as Mumbai is in India not Pakistan. Indian laws apply on Indian land and its properties within not Pakistani laws.
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Dec 20, 2018 02:31pm
Already Ministry of External Affairs of India, will move some of its office to Jinnah's house given permission by Modi government.
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Dec 20, 2018 02:32pm
Diversionary tactics by PTI to avoid simmering issues in country.
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Dec 20, 2018 02:32pm
Pakistan has no jurisdiction at all, and to whom they will file a case, in ICJ.
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Dec 20, 2018 02:33pm
What right does Pakistan FO have on indian property? Neither it is an embassy nor Mrs.Wadia citizen of India.Pakistan acquired property left by people who moved to India after partition.It took 70 yrs for Indian govt pass 'Enemy Property Act' similar to Pakistani law which was implemented right after partition.So u neither have rights not moral to claim on our state's property.
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Dec 20, 2018 02:33pm
70 years are gone and Pakistan suddenly woke up after newsbreak, about Jinnahs properties.
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Dec 20, 2018 02:40pm
From this article it was not clear as to on what ground Pakistan has a claim on Jinnah House.
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Dec 20, 2018 02:55pm
Jinnah House belings to Pakistan, so does IOK.
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Dec 20, 2018 03:07pm
FO answers questions which have not been asked. It is like setting up targets and then shooting them down.
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Dec 20, 2018 03:09pm
“Prior to partition”. Not 1946 anymore for the FO claims to apply. In 1947 countries split. The house is in Mumbai and it is in India as of today. Its indian property were Indian laws apply.
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Dec 20, 2018 03:16pm
Strong statement from FO. Proud to be a Pakistani!
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Dec 20, 2018 03:33pm
Pakistan's claim? What claim? How's Pakistan a party in this property dispute?
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Dec 20, 2018 03:37pm
Pakistan opened up Kartarpur to Indian pilgrims with no VISA restrictions. Indians should reply kindly by handing over Jinnah House to Pakistan Government so it can be turned into a consulate (as Quid e Azam envisioned) where Indian citizens can use it for accessing Pakistan for business, tourism and family contacts. I believe we should solve Kashmir dispute and move on as friends and good neighbours.
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Dec 20, 2018 03:42pm
Whats the Plan?
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Dec 20, 2018 05:07pm
In the spirit of the Kartarpur corridor we Hindustanis should grant Pakistan's request.
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Dec 20, 2018 05:26pm
Good Sir, Pakistan should not relinquish the valid claim like this.
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Dec 20, 2018 05:48pm
Please explain what are the legal grounds for such a demand?Their were millions on both sides of the border who had to leave their properties.Why can't both countries lay claim on such properties and compensate the effected people?
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Dec 20, 2018 06:22pm
can I come and claim my grand father's property in Pakistan?
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Dec 20, 2018 06:26pm
@Shah, Kartarpur is for Sikh pilgrims. And India does not own Kartarpur, its Gurudwara inside Pakistan, dont compare a religious with political, and Jinnahs house is on Indian land, and if you want to visit as a pilgrim you can.
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Dec 20, 2018 06:36pm
Jinnah's daughter, Dina Wadia was true legal owner of that Bungalow and she preerred to live in India even after partition. So, by mere logic, the house undoubtedly and rightfully belongs to India,
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Dec 20, 2018 06:38pm
This is not an issue for Governments to fight. Bureaucrats should talk to each other and solve this, rather than make it emotional issue between the countries.
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Dec 20, 2018 06:42pm
Make it a museum or an embassy. That decision solely lays with India, not Pakistan.
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Dec 20, 2018 06:43pm
Please send a letter to UN.
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Dec 20, 2018 07:34pm
If that’s the case then their will be thousands of claims from people who lost their property to Pakistan.
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Dec 20, 2018 08:15pm
Post partition Jinnah's daughter chose India instead of Pakistan, so that makes her the rightful heir of the property in India, after her demise it is her son who should be the heir of the property. There is a great chance that Dina's heirs are able to win the case in high court or the supreme court. The government of Pakistan do not have any claim on the property.
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Dec 20, 2018 08:29pm
Give it back India
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Dec 20, 2018 08:55pm
@Najma Hisham, In the same spirit Pakistan should handover the Gurudwara in Pakistan to India.
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Dec 20, 2018 09:09pm
@RaJGURU, So who owns it?
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Dec 20, 2018 09:20pm
Did Dina Wadia Will this property to anyone in the family? if not, the law decides the new owner. It is best that India honours Jinnah by turning this house into a museum or other befitting heritage building.
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Dec 20, 2018 10:16pm
Talk with some solid legal proofs and precedence.
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Dec 20, 2018 11:12pm
Good luck!!!
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Dec 21, 2018 12:40am
@realist, Just flatten the ground I would say
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Dec 21, 2018 12:50am
The property which belongs to Quaid -e-Azam and his heirs should be transferred to Pakistan Government.
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Dec 21, 2018 02:24am
@Shah, No Thanks
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Dec 21, 2018 03:08am
A nice heading for domestic audience.
Go ahead and file a case in ICJ as there is no other way you are going to get even millimetre of Jinnah house.But before doing that just remember the recent PCB vs BCCI case.
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Dec 21, 2018 05:40am
@Zak,
Pakistan will never access any of this
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Dec 21, 2018 05:42am
Will the US and North Korea allow each other to own property in the other country? Not a chance!
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Dec 21, 2018 05:52am
@Najma Hisham, stop masking yourself as an indian.
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Dec 21, 2018 05:59am
@Mo, same here i want my land back.
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Dec 21, 2018 08:23am
PTI will gain some popularity through these statements.
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Dec 21, 2018 09:15am
Again court cases and huge expenses to fight a losing case. Not sure who is trying to benefit through all these legal wrangles.
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Dec 21, 2018 10:15am
On what ground?
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Dec 21, 2018 11:21am
@Zak, "Jinnah House belings to Pakistan, so does IOK."
It is not about freedom , I see.
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Dec 21, 2018 12:30pm
Pakistan will need to fight the case in Indian court.
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Dec 21, 2018 12:41pm
That property is valued today at 4,600 crore Indian rupees. Much more than anything left behind by those who migrated to India.
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Dec 21, 2018 12:42pm
@Zak,
"Jinnah House belings to Pakistan, so does IOK."
Forget about both.
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Dec 21, 2018 01:54pm
You can keep your claim for as long as you live but it will never be your, unrealistic expectation.
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Dec 21, 2018 01:56pm
Which school did you go to to learn foreign affairs? You don't have the faintest idea.
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Dec 21, 2018 02:54pm
We must be thankful to the Indian Government that they have not raged the House and instead they are renovating and using it for International Cultural House. They may even change the name but history will remain with the structure as long as its standing on earth.
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Dec 21, 2018 03:02pm
@Ahmed, do you mean ALL put together? Nice valuation!
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Dec 21, 2018 03:27pm
Jinnah house is our heart and soul
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Dec 21, 2018 03:28pm
Hand it over to Pakistan - that house is Pakistan and is where we were made. Give it back
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Dec 21, 2018 06:55pm
Mohatta Palace in Karachi should be given to India in exchange for Jinnah House in Mumbai. That would be a fair exchange and strengthen cultural and historical bonds between the two countries.
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Dec 21, 2018 07:21pm
@Dinesh, Mohatta Palace was sold by the Seth who owned it before he left.
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Dec 22, 2018 12:18am
@Shah, "Indians should reply kindly by handing over Jinnah House to Pakistan Government" " I believe we should solve Kashmir dispute and move on as friends and good neighbours." I am sure you mean well but it ain't happening.
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Dec 22, 2018 01:55am
@Zak, and guess which one r u getting ?
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Dec 22, 2018 02:43am
@Ahmed, did Mohatta's sell there palace to Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Pakistan), before they left to India?
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Dec 22, 2018 06:17am
@Chinpaksaddique, your heart and soul is in India dear
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Dec 22, 2018 06:18am
@M Nazir , Jinnah's heir was D Wadia
she chose to live in India
her property will stay in India
got it
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Dec 22, 2018 06:33am
Pakistan Goverment didn't claim Jinnah house but it should be handed over to the ancestors automatically who had to claim it. Just because Jinnahs family lives in Pakistan doesn't mean family can't claim their property. History was already their. Indian Goverment can't prove a lie. But that's how India works. Never mind that one property ok lets give you a win. But Kashmiris want independence and if you don't believe then allow a referendum to vote.
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Dec 22, 2018 08:09am
Then India should not relinquish claim on pre-partition Hindustan.
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Dec 22, 2018 09:02am
What about Indian's properties in Pakistan?
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Dec 22, 2018 11:06am
@Ahmed
Really?
Did he sell it? At least "Dawn" doesn't think so.
https://www.dawn.com/news/784598/govt-takeover-of-mohatta-palace-after-partition-called-unfortunate
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Dec 22, 2018 11:13am
Only Mr Nusli Wadia can lay claim on his grandfather's property.
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Dec 22, 2018 11:49am
Here we are in Pakistan, our PM going out of his way to accommodate the Sighs, and this is how India answers the call? Indian government should be ashamed of itself for pulling this stunt, the least they can do is have some respect of our founding father. Very disappointed, but not surprised.
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Dec 22, 2018 11:56am
@RaJGURU, So what's the difference, Pakistan is claiming the Jinnah's home, where Raj Kapoor's home was never claimed, see the difference? Maybe it didn't hold any importance to anyone in India.
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Dec 22, 2018 11:58am
@Meghna, Its not about authority, its about doing the right thing. And as for your authority comment, neither does India over Kashmir, but that never stopped India. So save us the lecture on authority
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Dec 22, 2018 12:00pm
@Irshad, May want to read the history behind the house
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Dec 22, 2018 12:17pm
@Dinesh, they are double faced people that's why they in mess. In fact they are the mess
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Dec 22, 2018 01:00pm
I am surprised that they are demanding it and many Pakistanis find it valid demand. If India today start asking property of Dilip Kumar or Raj Kapoor or Shahrukh khan then will they get their properties.
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Dec 22, 2018 03:08pm
That's very modest of us to lay claim only on Jinnah's house...I mean there's whole big India before us but..let it go at present
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Dec 22, 2018 04:47pm
the article is not clear, and confusing, on what basis was Dina Wadia looking to take control of the property? was she intending to keep it for family use? What are her heirs intending to do with it?
I don't see what right the indian state has in taking ownership of someone else's private property? If anyone it must belong to the family or Mr Jinnah unless he left instructions otherwise.
If we are going to reduce this to theft by a state, simply because it can. We can expect the same when it is your personal property at dispute, to be used and abused by whoever is in power.
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Dec 22, 2018 04:49pm
@Sridhar Raghunatha Rao, so by your logic, your own personal property in india also belongs to the indian state?
If you are not there, who does it belong to? It's easy to give away other people's property, when it's your own it's not so easy is it?
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Dec 23, 2018 08:26am
Do not demolish Jinnah house give respect and get respect.
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