Pakistan will not relinquish claim on Jinnah House in Mumbai: FO

E-Paper | October 01, 2026

Pakistan will not relinquish claim on Jinnah House in Mumbai: FO

Naveed Siddiqui Published December 20, 2018

Pakistan's statement comes day after Swaraj said the building will be turned into an international convention centre. — File

comments

Join our Whatsapp Channel

Add Dawn as a trusted source

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."

Pak India Ties

World

Indian spy Hamid Nehal Ansari crosses Wagah border after repatriation from Pakistan

In BJP's India, a call to demolish Jinnah's house in Mumbai

HERITAGE: HOW TO PRESERVE THE SANCTITY OF GURU NANAK’S KARTARPUR

George

Dec 20, 2018 02:25pm

Unnecessary attempt by Pakistan to claim Jinnhas' house, which is inside India.

Recommend 0

RaJGURU

Dec 20, 2018 02:26pm

There was Raj Kapoor's house in Pakistan, and in ruins, and India or the Kapoor family never claimed.

Recommend 0

Meghna

Dec 20, 2018 02:27pm

Pakistan has no authority of any properties in India.

Recommend 0

Shaan

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.

Recommend 0

Trilok

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.

Recommend 0

Adil

Dec 20, 2018 02:32pm

Diversionary tactics by PTI to avoid simmering issues in country.

Recommend 0

Umesh

Dec 20, 2018 02:32pm

Pakistan has no jurisdiction at all, and to whom they will file a case, in ICJ.

Recommend 0

Swetha

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.

Recommend 0

Irshad

Dec 20, 2018 02:33pm

70 years are gone and Pakistan suddenly woke up after newsbreak, about Jinnahs properties.

Recommend 0

S.P.Das

Dec 20, 2018 02:40pm

From this article it was not clear as to on what ground Pakistan has a claim on Jinnah House.

Recommend 0

Zak

Dec 20, 2018 02:55pm

Jinnah House belings to Pakistan, so does IOK.

Recommend 0

V C BHUTANI

Dec 20, 2018 03:07pm

FO answers questions which have not been asked. It is like setting up targets and then shooting them down.

Recommend 0

Armaan

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.

Recommend 0

Wahab

Dec 20, 2018 03:16pm

Strong statement from FO. Proud to be a Pakistani!

Recommend 0

Sameer

Dec 20, 2018 03:33pm

Pakistan's claim? What claim? How's Pakistan a party in this property dispute?

Recommend 0

Shah

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.

Recommend 0

know

Dec 20, 2018 03:42pm

Whats the Plan?

Recommend 0

Najma Hisham

Dec 20, 2018 05:07pm

In the spirit of the Kartarpur corridor we Hindustanis should grant Pakistan's request.

Recommend 0

Tariq Rashid

Dec 20, 2018 05:26pm

Good Sir, Pakistan should not relinquish the valid claim like this.

Recommend 0

Yash

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?

Recommend 0

Dec 20, 2018 06:22pm

can I come and claim my grand father's property in Pakistan?

Recommend 0

Rishi

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.

Recommend 0

Sridhar Raghunatha Rao

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,

Recommend 0

Akhil

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.

Recommend 0

Sardar Balwinder

Dec 20, 2018 06:42pm

Make it a museum or an embassy. That decision solely lays with India, not Pakistan.

Recommend 0

kamal

Dec 20, 2018 06:43pm

Please send a letter to UN.

Recommend 0

Bipul

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.

Recommend 0

anonymous

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.

Recommend 0

Chinpaksaddique

Dec 20, 2018 08:29pm

Give it back India

Recommend 0

Raj

Dec 20, 2018 08:55pm

@Najma Hisham, In the same spirit Pakistan should handover the Gurudwara in Pakistan to India.

Recommend 0

realist

Dec 20, 2018 09:09pm

@RaJGURU, So who owns it?

Recommend 0

realist

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.

Recommend 0

Patriotic 786

Dec 20, 2018 10:16pm

Talk with some solid legal proofs and precedence.

Recommend 0

paul

Dec 20, 2018 11:12pm

Good luck!!!

Recommend 0

Pakde

Dec 21, 2018 12:40am

@realist, Just flatten the ground I would say

Recommend 0

M Nazir

Dec 21, 2018 12:50am

The property which belongs to Quaid -e-Azam and his heirs should be transferred to Pakistan Government.

Recommend 0

Deepak bhat

Dec 21, 2018 02:24am

@Shah, No Thanks

Recommend 0

Sant Ram

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.

Recommend 0

ram

Dec 21, 2018 05:40am

@Zak, Pakistan will never access any of this

Recommend 0

Just Saying

Dec 21, 2018 05:42am

Will the US and North Korea allow each other to own property in the other country? Not a chance!

Recommend 0

Dec 21, 2018 05:52am

@Najma Hisham, stop masking yourself as an indian.

Recommend 0

Naaji

Dec 21, 2018 05:59am

@Mo, same here i want my land back.

Recommend 0

Asif Ali

Dec 21, 2018 08:23am

PTI will gain some popularity through these statements.

Recommend 0

Pragmatist

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.

Recommend 0

Dec 21, 2018 10:15am

On what ground?

Recommend 0

salman

Dec 21, 2018 11:21am

@Zak, "Jinnah House belings to Pakistan, so does IOK." It is not about freedom , I see.

Recommend 0

Himmat

Dec 21, 2018 12:30pm

Pakistan will need to fight the case in Indian court.

Recommend 0

Ahmed

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.

Recommend 0

B N Sharma

Dec 21, 2018 12:42pm

@Zak, "Jinnah House belings to Pakistan, so does IOK." Forget about both.

Recommend 0

L.Ahmad

Dec 21, 2018 01:54pm

You can keep your claim for as long as you live but it will never be your, unrealistic expectation.

Recommend 0

Muqali Khan

Dec 21, 2018 01:56pm

Which school did you go to to learn foreign affairs? You don't have the faintest idea.

Recommend 0

Li-N-Ja

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.

Recommend 0

RationalBabu

Dec 21, 2018 03:02pm

@Ahmed, do you mean ALL put together? Nice valuation!

Recommend 0

Chinpaksaddique

Dec 21, 2018 03:27pm

Jinnah house is our heart and soul

Recommend 0

Chinpaksaddique

Dec 21, 2018 03:28pm

Hand it over to Pakistan - that house is Pakistan and is where we were made. Give it back

Recommend 0

Dinesh

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.

Recommend 0

Ahmed

Dec 21, 2018 07:21pm

@Dinesh, Mohatta Palace was sold by the Seth who owned it before he left.

Recommend 0

Kaka

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.

Recommend 0

Sachin

Dec 22, 2018 01:55am

@Zak, and guess which one r u getting ?

Recommend 0

Dec 22, 2018 02:43am

@Ahmed, did Mohatta's sell there palace to Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Pakistan), before they left to India?

Recommend 0

Mukul

Dec 22, 2018 06:17am

@Chinpaksaddique, your heart and soul is in India dear

Recommend 0

Mukul

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

Recommend 0

Khany

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.

Recommend 0

Suresh Kumar

Dec 22, 2018 08:09am

Then India should not relinquish claim on pre-partition Hindustan.

Recommend 0

Srini

Dec 22, 2018 09:02am

What about Indian's properties in Pakistan?

Recommend 0

Dinesh

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

Recommend 0

R R Vadhavkar

Dec 22, 2018 11:13am

Only Mr Nusli Wadia can lay claim on his grandfather's property.

Recommend 0

LAHORI KID

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.

Recommend 0

LAHORI KID

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.

Recommend 0

LAHORI KID

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

Recommend 0

LAHORI KID

Dec 22, 2018 12:00pm

@Irshad, May want to read the history behind the house

Recommend 0

Shy Guy

Dec 22, 2018 12:17pm

@Dinesh, they are double faced people that's why they in mess. In fact they are the mess

Recommend 0

Pramod Kumar

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.

Recommend 0

HonorBright

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

Recommend 0

Akram

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.

Recommend 0

Akram

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?

Recommend 0

Teefa Taj

Dec 23, 2018 08:26am

Do not demolish Jinnah house give respect and get respect.

Recommend 0

Branded Content

Putting better health in more hands: Reckitt Pakistan unveils Saaf Sehatmand Pakistan in partnership with Aga Khan Foundation

Powered by Dettol and Harpic, the flagship platform begins in schools to provide safe drinking water, rehabilitated toilets, handwashing facilities and hygiene education.

28 years of McDonald’s Pakistan: celebrating the local partners behind the Golden Arches

The milestone highlighted the structural evolution of the company's local procurement model.

Etihad Town Sialkot delivers Possession ahead of time

The project was delivered within just 1.5 years against a 3-year payment plan, while commercial possession had already been handed over to customers in January 2026.