Sharif, daughter, son-in-law granted parole to attend Kulsoom's funeral
Pakistan's jailed former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam, and son-in-law Capt (Retd) Muhammad Safdar reached Lahore early Wednesday from Rawalpindi after they were released from Adiala Jail on a 12-hour parole to attend the funeral of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz. Kulsoom, the wife of Sharif, died Tuesday in London after a long battle with cancer. She was 68. Here are more details.
Kulsoom's body will be brought back in Lahore
Kulsoom's body will be brought back to Lahore and buried in the Jati Umra Lahore residence of the Sharif family. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz spokesperson Maryam Aurangzeb said Shahbaz Sharif had filed an application with Punjab government requesting the release of his elder brother Nawaz, niece Maryam, and Safdar for five days on parole so that they could attend the last rituals of Kulsoom.
Punjab govt granted release for only 12 hours
The Punjab government did not entertain Shahbaz's request for five days and only granted their release for 12 hours, Aurangzeb said. "We are hopeful that the government will extend the parole till the funeral of Begum Kulsoom to be held on Friday in Lahore," Aurangzeb said, adding Shahbaz will leave for London on Wednesday to bring Kulsoom's body back.
Parole period of Sharif, Maryam, son-in-law, would be extended: Official
Meanwhile, a senior official of Punjab government confirmed that the parole period would be extended till the last rituals of Kulsoom are performed. "Since Kulsoom's body is scheduled to arrive here on Friday there's no point of not extending the parole period. The government has allowed Mr. Sharif to attend the funeral prayer of his wife purely on humanitarian grounds," the official said.
Kulsoom was diagnosed with throat cancer
Kulsoom Nawaz was diagnosed with lymphoma (throat) cancer last August and had been in London since, where she underwent multiple surgeries and at least five chemotherapy sessions. She was placed on a ventilator in June following a cardiac arrest and breathed her last in Harley Street Clinic. She served as the first lady of Pakistan for three non-consecutive terms from 1990-1993, 1997-99 and 2013-17.
Kulsoom was born in 1950 to Kashmiri family
Kulsoom was born in 1950 in Lahore to a Kashmiri family. She graduated from the Forman Christian College in Lahore and received a Master's degree in Urdu from Punjab University in 1970. From her maternal side, she was the granddaughter of famous wrestler of the sub-continent, Gama Pehlwan. Kulsoom married Sharif in April 1971, and they have four children, Hassan, Hussain, Maryam, and Asma.
