Junaid Safdar Set for Second Marriage Within Sharif Family Circle

Junaid Safdar, the son of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Captain (retd) Safdar, is set to marry for the second time. The engagement, arranged within the Sharif family circle, took place at the family’s residence in Lahore’s Model Town on Wednesday.

Sources close to the family confirm that Junaid has been engaged to the daughter of Usman Javed, who is the son of prominent industrialist Mian Javed Shafi — a longtime confidante and close relative of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The engagement ceremony was attended by key members of both families, including Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, and Mian Javed Shafi.

Mian Javed Shafi, a central figure in the Sharif family’s business network, co-manages Ittefaq Group Industries alongside the sons of Mian Tariq Shafi, further solidifying the alliance through both familial and financial ties.

Second Chapter in Junaid’s Personal Life

This marks Junaid Safdar’s second engagement. He was previously married to Ayesha Saif Khan, daughter of Qatar-based businessman and former NAB chairman Saif-ur-Rehman Khan. Their wedding in London in 2021 — held at the prestigious Lanesborough Hotel in Knightsbridge — made headlines for its grandeur during Nawaz Sharif’s stay in exile.

However, the couple announced their separation in October 2023. Junaid confirmed the divorce on social media, stating that the decision was mutual and amicable.

Following the divorce, Junaid returned to Pakistan full-time to support his mother in her growing political responsibilities after she took office as Chief Minister of Punjab earlier this year.

A Well-Rounded Profile

Junaid Safdar is widely recognized for his academic brilliance and sportsmanship. He holds two Bachelor’s degrees and two Master’s degrees from leading UK institutions. He graduated with First Class Honours in Politics from Durham University, followed by a Master’s in International Relations from the London School of Economics (LSE). In 2020, he completed a Master’s in Global Governance and Ethics from University College London (UCL) and later earned another degree from the University of Cambridge in 2022.

In addition to his academic credentials, Junaid is a skilled polo player and has represented British universities in several international tournaments. He is often cited as one of the most academically accomplished members of the Sharif family.