Politicians express grief over Begum Kulsom Nawaz's passing

KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Kulsoom Nawaz, he said in a statement, adding that all facilities will be provided to the family and heirs of former premier Nawaz Sharif's wife as per the law.

Khan, also the chief of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), directed the Pakistani High Commission in London to assist in the provision of all necessary facilities to the heirs of the deceased.

"Sad to learn of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz's death. She was a courageous woman of great dignity and confronted her disease with fortitude. My condolences and prayers go to the Sharif family," he wrote on Twitter.

President Dr Arif Alvi expressed "sincere regrets on the sad demise of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz.

"My condolences to the Sharif family on this loss. May her soul rest in peace,” he tweeted.

Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa also sent his condolences to the Sharif family.

"COAS expresses his grief and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family on the sad demise of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz. May Allah bless the departed soul eternal peace at Heaven-Amen, COAS," Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, the director-general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) tweeted.

Ministers of Finance and Foreign Affairs, Asad Umar and Shah Mehmood Qureshi, respectively, said they were saddened to hear of Begum Kulsoom’s passing.

May God "give the family the strength to bear the loss", Umar said, while Qureshi wrote: "I have instructed the Pakistani High Commission in London to facilitate the bereaved family in all possible ways."

Asad Qaiser, the speaker of the National Assembly, expressed his deep condolences at the passing of Begum Kulsoom, saying she "worked for democracy in the country”.

PTI senator Faisal Javed wrote: "Deeply saddened to hear the news of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz's passing. May ALLAH rest her soul in peace and give enough strength to family to cope with this huge loss."

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also expressed his sadness over the passing of the three-time first lady. "Kulsoom Nawaz was a brave woman who fought for democracy," he commented.

"My sympathies are with the members of the bereaved family and pray to Almighty Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage and fortitude to the bereaved family members to bear this irreparable loss," he added.

Former president and co-chairman of the PPP, Asif Ali Zardari, also expressed deep grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Begum Kulsoom.

PPP leader Aitzaz Ahsan said that he is deeply aggrieved over Kulsoom Nawaz’s passing, adding that she was a pious lady.

“I am deeply aggrieved over my statements that caused pain to the Sharif family,” said Ahsan.

PML-N Chairperson Raja Zafar-ul-Haq said he was with the Sharif family in this difficult time.

Former MNA and PML-N leader Tehmina Daultana said that Kulsoom Nawaz was their leader and she was praying that the former first lady would recuperate.

Tehminda Daultana said that Kulsoom wasn’t only Nawaz’s wife, but she was quite active in the party too.

Senate Chair Sadiq Sanjrani sent his condolences as well. “May the departed soul have eternal peace,” he said.

Awami National Party (ANP) leader Asfandyar Wali said Begum Kulsoom Nawaz fought against the dictatorship. “ANP is with the Sharif family in their difficult time,” he added.

Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leaders Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and his cousin, Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, said this is a huge loss for the Sharif family.

Syed Ali Raza Abidi, a former MNA, also took to Twitter express his grief. "My condolences to the Sharif family on the sad demise of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz," he wrote.

"May Allah grant her Eternal Paradise and give her loved ones the strength to cope with the tragic loss. Ameen. Expecting early bail on humanitarian grounds for Mian Nawaz Sharif, Maryam and Capt. Safder."

Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) Chairperson Mustafa Kamal conveyed his "heartfelt condolences with all the family members."

"We surely belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. Very Sad to hear about the demise of Kulsoom Nawaz Sahiba. May Allah rest her soul in peace and give her highest place in Jannah. My heartfelt condolences with all the family members," he wrote.

Britain’s High Commissioner to Pakistan Thomas Drew also offered condolences on the passing of the former first lady.

Martin Kobler, Germany's Ambassador to Pakistan, offered his heartfelt condolences to Begum Kulsoom's family and friends.

"Learned with grief about the passing of former First Lady of #Pakistan, Begum #KulsoomNawaz. My most heartfelt condolences to her family and friends. May her soul rest in peace,” he tweeted.

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Sushma Swaraj, India's Minister of External Affairs, Government of India, also expressed "heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family".

"I am sorry to know about the sad demise of Mrs.Kulsoom Nawaz. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. May her soul rest in peace," she wrote on Twitter.

Pakistani Nobel laureate also took to Twitter to offer condolences. "Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of the former First Lady of Pakistan Begum Kalsoom Nawaz," she wrote.

"Heartfelt condolences to all her family and prayers for the departed soul. Her political struggle and courage will be remembered," she added.