Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is likely to attend former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s wife Kulsoom Nawaz’s funeral at the Jati Umra residence of the Sharif family tomorrow. 

Close aides of the PPP leader told The Nation that Bilawal had in principle decided to participate in the last rites of the former First Lady but was awaiting security clearance.

"If all goes well, Bilawal will attend the funeral. Other PPP leaders will also be there,” said a senior party leader.

Yesterday, the authorities extended the parole of Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Mohammed Safdar for three days to attend the last rites of Kulsoom Nawaz.

They will remain within the boundaries of Jati Umra residence and will only be allowed to meet their family members.

The Sharif family was earlier released from Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail on 12-hour parole hours Kulsoom Nawaz passed away in a London hospital.

They were escorted by police to the Nur Khan airbase from where they were taken to Lahore. Residence of Sharif family in Jati Umra.

The first funeral prayer of Kulsoom will be offered today in London’s Regent Park mosque. Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) President Shehbaz Sharif and other family members are in London to attend the funeral and bring Kulsoom Nawaz’s body back to Pakistan.

Later on, a flight carrying the casket will fly from Heathrow airport. It will arrive in Pakistan on September 13 after which the second funeral prayer will be held at Jati Umra.

Kulsoom Nawaz will be laid to rest the same day beside the grave of her father-in-law Mian Mohammed Sharif at Jati Umra. Nawaz Sharif sons Hassan and Hussain Nawaz will not be in Lahore to attend the funeral prayers.

Kulsoom Nawaz had passed away at London's Harley Street Clinic on September 11 after a prolonged battle with cancer.

Hours after the death of former first lady, PPP leader Aitzaz Ahsan tendered an 'unconditional' apology to the Sharif family for hurting their sentiments during her cancer treatment.

Ahsan said he was deeply saddened over Kulsoom Nawaz’s death and wanted to appologise for the bitter comments he made in the past. “I unconditionally apologize for my statement. I will attend Kulsoom Bibi’s funeral,” he said. He termed Kulsoom Nawaz as a kindhearted and pious lady adding her death was a big loss to the Sharif family.

A few months back, Ahsan had not only ridiculed Kulsoom Nawaz but had also belittled the ordeal of Maryam Nawaz and Nawaz Sharif.

He had gone to the extent saying Harley Street Clinic where Kulsoom Nawaz was admitted for cancer treatment was owned and operated by Sharifs. Aitzaz Ahsan also claimed that the clinic was not meant for cancer patients.

Alleging that the clinic only conducted bypass surgeries of human hearts, the PPP leader said that former premier Nawaz Sharif was tending to his ailing wife as a delaying tactic in corruption references against him.

Bilawal's spokesperson Senator Mustfa Nawaz Khokhar told The Nation that the PPP chief's participation in the funeral was not officially confirmed yet. "We will take a decision very soon," he said.

Khokhar said Bilawal and Asif Ali Zardari were saddened after Kulsoom Nawaz’s death. "Our leadership has sent condolences to the bereaved family,” he said.

Another PPP leader said security clearance was the only hurdle. “We hope to get security clearance for Bilawal Bhutto so that he can attend the funeral,” he said.