Sharif family members reach Jati Umra
The Sharif family has been shifted to Jati Umra from the airport under tight security.
LAHORE (Dunya News) - Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Capt (retd) Safdar reached Lahore from Rawalpindi on a special plane on early Wednesday morning after being released on parole to attend funeral of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz wife of Nawaz Sharif who died in London on Tuesday.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shahbaz Sharif and other family members of the Sharif family also reached Lahore on the same flight.
The Sharif family has been shifted to Jati Umra, the residence of Nawaz Sharif near Raiwind, from the airport under tight security.
Meanwhile, Punjab Home Ministry has declared Jati Umra, the residence of Nawaz Sharif, as a sub-jail in a notification issued on early Wednesday morning.
Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, the wife of former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif, on Tuesday passed away at London’s Harley Street Clinic after a prolonged battle with cancer.
The news was confirmed by PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif. Kulsoom Nawaz is survived by her husband and four children, Hassan, Hussain, Maryam and Asma.
“My sister-in-law and wife of Mian Nawaz Sharif, Begum Kulsoom Nawaz is no more. May her soul rest in peace,” Shehbaz Sharif said in a twitter announcement.
“Nawaz Sharif had always consulted Kulsoom Nawaz during his tough hours. She (Kulsoom Nawaz) challenged dictatorship courageously,” stated Shehbaz while adding at the same time late Kulsoom’s affiliation with democracy was proven and time-tested.
Shehbaz added nation will always remember services of Kulsoom Nawaz for democracy.
Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz, who are serving sentence in Adiala Jail, have also been informed about the demise of Begum Kulsoom. The former first lady was diagnosed with lymphoma (throat cancer) in August 2017 after which, she was shifted to London’s Harley Street Clinic for treatment.
Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz had flown to London several times to inquire about the health of Kulsoom Nawaz. Family sources told that Begum Kulsoom had inquired about Nawaz and Maryam last night but was not informed about their conviction.
Her funeral prayers will be offered at Regent’s Park in London Thursday and her body will be brought back to Pakistan via a PIA flight after fulfilling legal obligations Friday morning.
A second funeral prayer will be offered after Asr prayers on Friday after which Kulsoom will be buried alongside her father-in-law, Mian Sharif, at Jati Umra.
Nawaz Sharif sons Hassan and Hussain Nawaz won’t be in Lahore to attend the funeral prayers owing to legal complications, well-informed sources told Dunya News.
The accountability court had declared former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s children Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz as absconders after both failed to appear in the court despite non-bailable arrest warrants issued against them.
Hassan and Hussain, who are facing corruption cases in Pakistan, are residing in London.
Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Arif Alvi expressed sorrow over the demise of Kulsoom Nawaz. As per details garnered, Imran termed late Kulsoom Nawaz a courageous woman.
He also directed Pakistan’s High Commissioner in London to provide every possible legal assistance to relatives of the Kulsoom Nawaz.
President Arif Alvi said: “I express my sincere regrets on the sad demise of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz. My condolences to the Sharif family on this loss. May her soul rest in peace.”
The Pakistani High Commission in London said it had received orders to shift the dead body. Sources in London said the staff arrived at Harley Street Clinic to assist the Sharif family. An official of the Pakistan High Commission had been appointed in this regard.
