COAS, air chief inquire into Begum Kulsoom Nawaz's health

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa contacted on telephone former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to express his prayers and best wishes for the health of his wife, Kulsoom Nawaz.

The unprecedented phone call was tweeted by ISPR DG Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor Wednesday morning. 

Kulsoom Nawaz was diagnosed with throat cancer on Tuesday, Geo News reported.

Air chief inquires Begum Kalsoom Nawaz’s health

Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of Air Staff, also called former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to inquire the health of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, according to a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) spokesperson.

He expressed his best wishes and prayed for her speedy recovery, the spokesperson added.

Malala, mother call Begum Kalsoom

Pakistani Nobel laureate Malala Yousufzai and her mother Turpakai also called Begum Kulsoom Nawaz and inquired about her health.

During the conversation, Begum Kulsoom Nawaz congratulated Malala on getting admission in Oxford University and wished her well.

Malala and her mother told her that the whole family was praying for her recovery.

Sources told Geo News that Begum Nawaz was informed on Tuesday morning by a team of doctors that she must undergo treatment without any delay.

According to British doctors treating the former premier's wife in London, her ailment is curable and “treatment shouldn’t be too complicated.”

Doctors discussed various options of treatment and agreed that surgery and radiation therapy will not be used because Kulsoom can be treated through chemotherapy, sources said.

Geo News, on Monday, reported that Begum Nawaz had undergone three medical check-ups after reaching London a week ago, and results of her blood tests were due this week.

Kulsoom is the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate for the NA-120 by-election due on September 17. 

The seat fell vacant after former premier Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case. 

Prayers from across political spectrum 

Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan, also wished Kulsoom Nawaz well after news of her ailment was released.

In a tweet, Nawaz's 'arch-rival' stated that he wishes her the best as she fights this disease and prays she wins her battle against cancer.

Pakistan Peoples Party supremo Asif Ali Zardari's daughter Aseefa Bhutto Zardari said on Twitter that her family sends prayers to Begum Kulsoom Nawaz and is praying for her swift recovery.

Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif also prayed for her sister-in-law, stating on Twitter that he has best wishes and prayers for 'Kalsoom bhabi' for her quick recovery, good health and long life. 

The whole family stands by her, said Nawaz's brother, amid unverified reports of rifts within the family after Nawaz's disqualification and the upcoming NA-120 by-election.