Junaid Safdar set to get 'engaged within family circle'

Junaid Safdar, the son of the current Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab Maryam Nawaz and grandson of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, is set to tie the knot with the granddaughter of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif’s first cousin in Lahore, media outlets have reported. 

This would be Junaid Safdar’s second marriage. He had tied the knot with Ayesha Saif in August 2021 at a reception held at Lanesborough, located in Knightsbridge, London. The marriage ended in a quiet divorce.

Junaid Safdar’s parents, Maryam Nawaz and Captain Safdar, did not attend the wedding as they were not allowed to leave Pakistan at the time. However, his grandfather, Nawaz Sharif and the incumbent Deputy Prime Minister (PM), Ishaq Dar, were present at the wedding.

Citing family sources, Geo News reported that Junaid Safdar will now be engaged to the granddaughter of Javed Shafi, a first cousin and confidante of three-time former premier Nawaz.

Shafi runs Ittefaq Group Industries alongside the sons of Mian Tariq Shafi and the rest of the wider Sharif clan. Junaid Safdar's fiance is the daughter of 48-year-old Usman Javed, the son of Mian Javed Shafi, who resides in Model Town.

“The families from both sides, including Mian Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Mian Javed Shafi, met on Wednesday in Model Town,” said Geo News, citing a source, while another said, “The rishta has been settled and the engagement will follow soon. The families will mutually decide the dates for the nikah and engagement ceremony.”

Junaid Safdar’s education

Junaid Safdar is a Cambridge graduate who holds two bachelor’s and two master’s degrees from prestigious UK universities. 

Completing a master’s in International Relations (IR) from the London School of Economics (LSE) in 2020, Junaid Safdar also completed a master’s in Global Governance and Ethics from University College London (UCL).

Earlier, he earned a first-class honours degree in Politics from Durham University.

Junaid is also a keen polo enthusiast and has won multiple competitions representing British universities.