LAHORE Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday left for London to bring back the body of his sister-in-law Begum Kulsoom Nawaz who died after a long battle with cancer, according to a media report.
Shehbaz, the younger brother of Pakistan’s jailed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, left from the Allama Iqbal International Airport.
The funeral prayers of Nawaz Sharif’s wife Kulsoom will be offered at the Regent Park mosque on Thursday afternoon and her body will be flown to Lahore after completion of legal formalities, Geo News reported.
The Sharif family has said Kulsoom will be laid to rest on Friday in Jati Umra, residence of the Sharif family.
The former first lady died Tuesday in London after a long battle with cancer. She was 68.
She was diagnosed with lymphoma (throat) cancer in August last 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.
The former prime minister, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Capt (Retired) Muhammad Safdar reached here early Wednesday from Rawalpindi after they were released from Adiala Jail on a 12-hour parole to attend the funeral of Kulsoom.
Nawaz, Maryam and Capt Safdar are currently at their Jati Umra residence where they are meeting family members and party leaders.
Former first daughter Maryam said Tuesday night she was “deeply saddened” by the fact that she was unable to be by the bedside of her ailing mother during her last moments.
“Today was extremely difficult after learning of my mother’s death. It was extremely painful to know that I wasn’t by my mother’s side,” she said.
“I am deeply saddened,” she told Geo News.
Kulsoom was granddaughter of legendary Gamma Pehlwan
Late Kulsoom Nawaz was the granddaughter of undivided Indias all-time greatest wrestling king, Ghulam Mohammad Baksh (1878 1960) alias Gama Pehlwan, who had remained unbeaten throughout his 52-year long career that had seen him instantly trampling all over numerous legends of the ring including the 7-foot tall Indian wrestler, Raheem Bakhsh Sultani Wala, Dr. Benjamin Roller of the United States, World Champion Stanislaus Zbyszko from Poland, European Champion Johann Lemm from Switzerland and another World Champion, Jesse Peterson from Sweden etc.
Kulsooms maternal family had played a pivotal role in her husband Nawaz Sharifs political success from the very outset.
When Mian Nawaz Sharif had first entered politics in early 1980s, Gama Pehlwans globally- renowned wrestler sons and Kulsooms maternal unclesManzoor Hussain alias Bholu Pehlwan, Akram alias Akki, Azam Pehlwan, Moazzam alias Goga Pehlwan and late wrestling sensation Zubair Jharas father, Aslam Pehlwan alias Accha (World Heavyweight Champion), had taken an active part in his electoral campaign in Walled City, where they held immense sway and influence to muster support for the budding industrialist-cum-politician.
Daughter of Dr. Abdul Hafeez Butt, from whom she had inherited humility, Kulsoom had three siblings–two sisters and a brother.
Open your eyes, Kulsoom: Video of Nawazs final goodbye to wife goes viral
An unseen of video of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif bidding farewell to his wife Begum Kulsoom Nawaz for the last time has gone viral on social media soon after the death of Pakistans former first lady in London Tuesday.
In the video, a visibly emotional Sharif can be seen talking to his unconscious wife in a London hospital before his return to Pakistan on July 12 to serve his 11-year jail term.
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Sharif can be heard saying in Urdu, May God give you strength.
Open your eyes, Kulsoom, he is heard pleading to her.
Ahead of his departure from London, Sharif had said his wife finally opened her eyes for a few seconds — something he had revealed a day prior that he wished for.
He, however, regretted having to leave her in such state to return to the country.
At that time, he had said that he was leaving behind his ailing wife in Allahs protection and returning to Pakistan regardless of whether he was taken to prison or gallows.
Kulsoom died Tuesday in London after a protracted battle with throat cancer.
Sharif, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar are currently serving jail terms in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi after being convicted by an accountability court in a corruption case in July.
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