The burial of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, the wife of three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who is in Adiala Jail after conviction, is expected on Friday, sources said. The Sharif family has confirmed that Begum Kulsoom's body will be brought back to Pakistan and she will be laid to rest at Jati Umra in Lahore. Her namaz-e-janza will be participated by a large number of people hailing from different walks of life and workers of PML-N from across the country.
Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and Captain Safdar (retd) are set to be granted parole for Begum Kulsoom's funeral and burial. Begum Kulsoom is survived by her husband and four children - Maryam, Asma, Hassan and Hussain.
Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif has termed the demise of Kulsoom Nawaz a great loss for the family. Shehbaz said that he would depart to London on first available flight. "Nawaz Sharif had always consulted Kulsoom Nawaz during his tough hours. She challenged dictatorship courageously. Her affiliation with democracy was proven and time-tested." He added that the nation will always remember services of Kulsoom Nawaz for democracy.
The Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) has suspended all political activities for three days after death of Kulsoom Nawaz in London. PML-N leader Khawaja Imran Nazir termed former first lady a brave woman and stated that she played vital role in reshaping the political landscape of the country. He said that dead body of Kulsoom Nawaz will be shifted to Pakistan in two to three days and demanded Nawaz Sharif to be given at least one-week parole.
Begum Kulsoom was under treatment at London's Harley Street Clinic since June 2017. She was placed on life support last night as her health deteriorated. She was diagnosed with lymphoma (throat) cancer in August 2017.
Born in 1950, Kulsoom Nawaz was the granddaughter of the world-renowned wrestler Ghulam Muhammad, known locally as 'Gaama Pahelwan.' She received her early education from Lahore's Madrasa-Tul-Banat and later enrolled at the Lady Griffin High School. For her undergraduate, she attended the FC College in Lahore, and then completed Masters in Urdu from the Punjab University. She was studying when she married Nawaz Sharif in 1971. She remained Pakistan's first lady thrice - 1990-93, 1997-1999 and 2013-2017.
In September 2017, Kulsoom won the by-election from NA-120 Lahore. Begum Nawaz was under treatment at this time while her campaign was run by Maryam Nawaz. Begum Kulsoom Nawaz entered politics following the end of Nawaz's send term as prime minister. She became politically active for the release of her husband imprisoned by Gen Pervez Musharraf. She rallied support for Sharif when politicians from the PML-N were being arrested in pre-dawn raids. In June 2000, she was appointed the interim president of the party - a position that she held for two years. People from all walks of life expressed sorrow over her death.
Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar condoled the death of Begum Kalsoom Nawaz. Chairman PML-N Raja Zafar-ul-Haq said he is with the Sharif family in this difficult time. Awami National Party leader Asfandyar Wali said Begum Kulsoom Nawaz had fought against the dictatorship.
Pakistan Muslim League (PML) President Ch Shujat Hussain and Speaker Punjab Assembly Ch Parvez Elahi also expressed their heartfelt grief and sorrow over her death.
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