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Jailed Pakistani Ex-Prime Minister Sharif Released For Wife’s Funeral

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter and son-in-law have been temporarily released on parole for the funeral of Sharif’s wife, reports said.

They were released on September 12 for 12 hours, according to Pakistan’s prison rules, but the duration was likely to be extended.

Begum Kulsoom Nawaz died at a clinic in London on September 11 after battling cancer for more than a year. She was 68.

Sharif, a three-time prime minister, is serving a 10-year prison term in Pakistan following his conviction on corruption charges in early July.

The couple’s daughter Maryam Nawaz is also in prison, serving a seven-year sentence. Her husband, Muhammad Safdar, is serving a yearlong sentence on related charges.

Nawaz Sharif and his family contend that the cases, convictions, and sentences against them are politically motivated.

Pakistani media reported that Kulsoom Nawaz’s funeral would be held on September 14 in Lahore.

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