News Desk |
Punjab’s incumbent government on Wednesday extended the parole of three-time former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (retired) Mohammad Safdar by five days. Earlier, Punjab government had extended a three-day parole to attend the funeral ceremony of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz in JatiUmrah—who passed away on Tuesday in London Hospital.
Some media houses/outlets reported that father-daughter duo was not willing to sign the parole papers and on their behalf, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and former CM Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif applied for the five-day parole. According to the Punjab government’s home department, the period of parole has been extended until 12 am on Monday.
After Begum Kalsoom’s demise, Prime Minister Imran Khan had directed the Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry to facilitate the release of Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz on parole and provide the assistance in the shifting of the body for burial.
The wife of PML-N’s supreme leader Nawaz Sharif passed away at London’s Harley Street Clinic on Tuesday after a year-long battle with cancer. Political leaders and civil society have praised the deceased over her brave fight against the deadly disease.
The Punjab government had initially released the family on a 12-hour parole to attend Begum Kulsoom’s funeral. “The extension will be in effect from midnight and will expire on Saturday night and in case of a delay in Begum Kulsoom’s funeral, the parole will be further extended,” the Punjab government had confirmed.
The Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar had also confirmed that Sharif family’s parole would be extended. The arrangements have been made for the burial of Begum Kulsoom at JatiUmra on Friday afternoon. Following the release orders, Sharif family members were escorted by police to the Nur Khan airbase from where they were flown to Lahore.
Read more: Government extends Nawaz Sharif, Maryam & Safdar parole for three days
The grief-stricken images of the family emerged on the media when they prepared to leave Islamabad airport. They were brought to Lahore via special flight at 2:30 am on Wednesday. The sources claim that Nawaz’s health has deteriorated since returning to his house. Therefore, he is unable to meet visitors arriving at JatiUmra to extend condolences over his loss. Doctors have advised the former premier to take bed rest.
According to the Punjab government’s home department, the period of parole has been extended until 12 am on Monday.
Other members of the family including Hamza Shahbaz and Salman Shahbaz are meeting the guests in the absence of their father Shahbaz Sharif—who left for London to bring back Kulsoom’s body. Since Nawaz’s both sons—Hassan and Hussain Nawaz are not returning to Pakistan for the burial because of the legal challenges facing the family in Pakistan.
Read more: Kulsoom Nawaz’s demise & spin doctors – Maleeha Hashmey
Meanwhile, PML-N president has reached London to offer his condolences with Hassan and Hussain and to bring the body of the deceased. Former CM Punjab will attend the funeral of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz scheduled to be held tomorrow in Regent Plaza Park. The body of former first lady will be flown from Heathrow airport on Thursday at 10 pm PST via PIA flight PK-758.
The sources claim that Nawaz’s health has deteriorated since returning to his house. Therefore, he is unable to meet visitors arriving at JatiUmra to extend condolences over his loss. Doctors have advised the former premier to take bed rest.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders and family members of Sharif’s have been arriving at JatiUmra residence since last night to extend condolences. Amid the influx of a large number of people, security has been beefed up around JatiUmra and traffic police have taken the necessary measures to facilitate the transport.
Read more: Twitter reacts to Kulsoom Nawaz’s death
The wife of PML-N’s supreme leader Nawaz Sharif passed away at London’s Harley Street Clinic on Tuesday after a year-long battle with cancer. Political leaders and civil society have praised the deceased over her brave fight against the deadly disease. After the 1999 coup, when Nawaz was in jail, Kalsoom Nawaz showed utmost defiant and as the president of the PML-N kept the party together for a short span of time.
She is also credited for putting Nawaz on the path of reconciliation with Benazir Bhutto. Some circles praised for being a rock in Nawaz’s life. Whenever Nawaz was in trouble, she came to his defense and remained a support throughout her life. It was her strong personality, and political clout attained during the engagement with other political parties—which forced Musharraf to also send her into exile along with Nawaz.