LONDON - Kulsoom Nawaz, the wife of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, died at the age of 68 on Tuesday in London, months after a cardiac arrest put her to Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
The death of Kulsoom Nawaz was confirmed by her son Hassan and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz president, Shehbaz Sharif.
In the video, that apparently dates back to July when Sharif was heading back to Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif can be seen struggling to talk to Kulsoom Nawaz, however, there was no response from the former first lady.
PM Imran Khan Expresses Sorrow
Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the demise of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz.
According to a statement issued by the PM Office, all the facilities within the legal parameters would be provided to the Sharif family.
The High Commissioner in London has also been instructed by the government to extend all the facilities to the members of the Sharif family, added the statement.
The former first lady was rushed to Harley Street Clinic late Monday after her health deteriorated, however, she breathed her last a few hours ago.
Earlier, last year, Begum Kulsoom travelled to the British capital city where she was diagnosed with Lymphoma, prompting Sharif family members to get her admitted to the upscale health facility.
The former first lady, who contested elections from NA-120 Lahore last year, was shifted to the intensive care unit at a UK hospital from the emergency unit after her condition deteriorated ahead of Eid ul Fitr.
Nawaz Sharif consoles Kulsoom Nawaz in British hospital
Currently, she was admitted to the Harley Street Clinic in London after she suffered a cardiac arrest; she could not regain consciousness for an extended period of time despite being under strict surveillance.
Many political leaders including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan had responded to a request made by Maryam Nawaz, leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), for prayers.
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his wife Kulsoom Nawaz celebrated their 47 years of marriage in April, with their daughter Maryam Nawaz sharing the pictures of the occasion.
Born into a Kashmiri family in Lahore in 1950, Kulsoom Nawaz attended Islamia College and Forman Christian College University for her graduation. Kulsoom completed her master’s in Urdu from Punjab University in 1970 and married Nawaz Sharif the year after.
The couple has four children: Maryam, Asma, Hassan and Hussain.
Kulsoom also served as the President of Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) after military dictator put Nawaz in exile by a bloodless coup in 1999 but generally she preferred to avoid media limelight.
Kulsoom Nawaz gives piece of cake to Nawaz Sharif on his birthday
She also won the NA-120 bye-polls in September last year after overpowering PTI's Yasmin Rashid though she was not able to practically take part in the election campaign for the seat vacated by her husband.
Kulsoom was not able to take oath as a parliamentarian owing to her illness. She was closest to former premier Nawaz Sharif in terms of relation but was not dragged into the Panama Papers controversy that led to the disqualification of her husband.
Kulsoom's maternal grandfather Ghulam Mohammad Baksh, better known by The Great Gama, is considered one of the greatest wrestlers of all time.
Begum Kulsoom served as first lady of Pakistan for three non-consecutive terms from 1990-1993, 1997-1999 and 2013-2017.
Currently, her husband Nawaz Sharif and daughter Maryam Nawaz are imprisoned in the Adiala jail in Pakistan.
Condolences Pour In
Political leaders and media veterans expressed their condolences on the demise of the former first lady.
Rupee exchange rate to US Dollar, Euro, Pound, Dirham, and Riyal - 18 April 2024
Pakistani currency continues to gain against US Dollar and other currencies on April 18, 2024. US dollar was being quoted at 277.2 for buying and 280.3 for selling.
Euro comes down to 293 for buying and 296 for selling while British Pound stands at 342.25 for buying, and 345.65 for selling.
UAE Dirham AED was at 75.25 and Saudi Riyal's new rates was at 73.30.
Today’s currency exchange rates in Pakistan - 18 April 2024
