Nawaz, Maryam refused to sign parole application: Shehbaz

PML-N president condemned those who doubted and dismissed Kulsoom’s health as a political stunt

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz president Shehbaz Sharif said former premier Nawaz Sharif and daughter Maryam Nawaz had refused to sign the parole application after the demise of Kulsoom Nawaz.

He added that the parole application was signed by himself after the incarcerated Sharif family members refused to do so.

Shehbaz flew to London on Wednesday to bring back the body of Kulsoom for burial after the first lady passed away after a protracted battle with cancer.



Speaking outside the Sharif family residence in London, Shehbaz paid tribute to the former first lady and her struggle for democracy. “She fought with determination and courage."

پوری قوم سے درخواست ہے کہ وہ بیگم کلثوم نواز کی مغفرت کے لیے دعا کریں.شہبازشریف pic.twitter.com/FvX0BXBfbx

— PMLN (@pmln_org) September 13, 2018

The former chief minister added that the deceased’s health was improving before she passed away and asked the nation for prayers.

Shehbaz is scheduled to return with Kulsoom’s body on Friday and her funeral will be held on the same day. She will be buried at the Sharif family graveyard in Jati Umra.  Her funeral prayers will also be offered at Regent Park Mosque in London on Thursday.

People offer condolences to Maryam Nawaz at Jati Umra. PHOTO: EXPRESS

When asked about Nawaz’s health, Shehbaz said the PML-N supremo was grief-stricken after the demise of his wife and condemned those who doubted and dismissed Kulsoom’s health as a political stunt.

میاں نوازشریف پہ کرپشن کا کوئی الزام ثابت نہیں ہوسکا.نوازشریف اور مریم نواز نے 109 پیشیاں بھگتیں ہیں اس سے زیادہ ظلم اور زیادتی کی کیا بات ہوسکتی ہے.شہبازشریف pic.twitter.com/ABD5vY8LoA

— PMLN (@pmln_org) September 13, 2018

Commenting on the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) observation that the accountability court’s verdict in Avenfield Apartments reference may have been based on presumption, the leader of the opposition said the National Accountability Bureau’s prosecutor failed to provide any evidence linking Nawaz and Maryam to corruption.

“They attended more than 109 hearings yet the prosecution could not prove anything. Our lawyers have made strong arguments in IHC. We are hopeful that justice will be served.”

Separately, a resolution demanding 40-day extension for Nawaz and Maryam was submitted in the Punjab Assembly on Thursday.

In the resolution, PML-N leader sought permission for Nawaz to meet local and international visitors coming in to offer condolences over Kulsoom Nawaz's demise.

The resolution pays tribute to the respectable Kulsoom for her services for democracy. The assembly expressed sorrow over her demise. The resolution further appeals the provincial government to declare Nawaz's Raiwind residence Jati Umra as sub-jail until the end of the 40-day mourning period.