Jama Masjid leaves Nawaz Sharif transfixed
First-ever visit to the Mughal era monument and the largest mosque of the country Jama Masjid and the Walled City area on Tuesday morning left Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif spellbound. Standing at the stairs of the southern entrance of the monument, Sharif took a glimpse of the bustling bazaar, Matia Mahal and the neighbourhood. Mesmerised by the exquisiteness of ancient structures, he reportedly said the area reminds him of lahore. “It seems that I am in lahore not in Delhi. It is absolutely the same,” Jama Masjid Shahi Imam Ahmed Bukhari quoted Pakistan PM as saying.
Sharif also enquired about Delhi’s most famous culinary destination — Karim Hotel. “He (Sharif) asked where the Karim Hotel is. He also talked about the popularity of decades’ old restaurant and its food in Pakistan. Then he further made enquiries about Matia Mahal. Sharif was enthralled by the splendour of the market area. He said it completely resembles the Anarkali Bazaar in lahore. He took ten minutes to take a round of the whole complex. This was his first ever visit to the historical mosque,” said Bukhari, adding that Sharif spent almost half-an-hour at Jama Masjid.
Earlier, Sharif reached the mosque around 8.45 am along with his son Hussain Sharif, his National Security Advisor Sartaj Aziz, Pakistan High Commissioner in India Abdul Basit and other members of his delegation. “Tea and snacks were served. We held discussions over measures to be taken to establish peace in the region with Sharif, which lasted for nearly 20 minutes,” Bukhari added.
“Pakistan is one of our neighbours and it is imperative to have cordial relationship with country. Sharif was also hopeful that relations between the two countries would improve. There has been bitterness and differences for last seven years. He was of the opinion that India and Pakistan should move toward peace and happiness,” he said. later, Sharif also visited another Mughal period building Red Fort. Sources in Delhi Police said that Pakistan PM also wanted to visit Chandni Chowk but skipped the plan as the agency did not allow him due to security reasons. “Prime Minister of Pakistan wanted to go to Chandni Chowk but it was not allowed due to the security reasons,” said sources.