Islamabad: The Namaz-e-Janaza (funeral prayer) of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, wife of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, was offered at Sharif Medical City, Raiwind near Lahore on Friday before laying her to rest.
Several political personalities including National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjarani, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammed Sarwar and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Khurshid Shah attended the funeral. Delegations of PPP, Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) also arrived for condolence.
Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, the wife of former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) supremo Nawaz Sharif had passed away at London’s Harley Street Clinic last Tuesday after a prolonged battle with cancer. At least 13 family members including PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif, Zakariya Hussain Sharif, Asma Dar, Haleema Dar,Usman Dar, Asif Baig Mirza, Khadija Mirza, Saira Saleh, Ijaz Gull, Samia Tariq, Nargis Butt returned with her body from London.
A special immigration counter was set up at the Hajj Terminal of the airport in order to facilitate the early clearance of all those who arrived with her body.
Religious scholar Maulana Tariq Jamil led the prayers. A large number of people including party workers are visiting the residence of Nawaz Sharif to offer their condolences.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan telephoned Nawaz Sharif and offered condolences over the demise of her wife.
The police formulated the security plan according to which nine vehicles of elite force patrolled in various areas. Eight walk-through gates were installed at two points.
Moreover, security personnel were deployed at 19 places. They included three superintendents of police (SP), three deputy superintendents of police (DSP) and six station house officers (SHO).
Earlier, hundreds of people including members of the Sharif family attended the funeral of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz at London’s Regent Park mosque on Thursday.
The Punjab government has extended the parole period of Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and Mohammed Safdar to participate in the last rites of Sharif’s wife. The trio will now remain free on parole until September 17. A notification has also been issued in this regard.
