Nawaz Sharif’s mother Begum Shamim Akhtar passes away in London

LONDON: Shamim Akhtar, the mother of former Pakistani prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif and former chief minister Punjab Mian Shehbaz Sharif passed away in London on 22 November 2020, Sharif family sources confirmed to The Pakistan Daily.

Begum Shamim Akhtar was in London since the last few weeks to spend time with Mian Nawaz Sharif who has been in the UK for almost a year.

PML-N Leader Attaullah Tarrar confirmed the unfortunate demise in a tweet.

Her body will be sent to Pakistan for a funeral tomorrow but her eldest son, Mian Nawaz Sharif is not expected to travel to Pakistan due to several cases against him.

So far, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan has not publicly condoled Nawaz Sharif or his family in sharp contrast to the immediate condolences offered upon Khadim Rizvi’s death just days ago.

Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa expressed his condolences to the Sharif Family.

“May Allah Almighty bless the departed soul in eternal peace,” Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa said.

PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shahbaz have been informed about Begum Shamim Akhtar’s death and The Pakistan Daily has learnt that a request will be submitted to the court to allow Shehbaz and Hamza Shahbaz to be released on payroll so they can attend the funeral. 

Workers belonging to the PML-N have gathered outside Avenfield House to condole with their leader’s mother’s death.