LAHORE: PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz were sent back to Kot Lakhpat jail here after their six-day parole to participate in the last rites of his (Shehbaz’s) mother ended on Thursday.

Before leaving for the jail, Punjab Assembly Speaker and PML-Q senior leader Chaudhry Parvez Elahi met Shehbaz Sharif at his residence and condoled with him the death of his mother.

Mr Elahi was accompanied by MNAs Moonis Elahi and Hussain Elahi, Shafay Hussain and former senator Kamil Ali Agha.

PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz, Hamza Shehbaz, former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former National Assembly speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Maryam Aurangzeb were also present on the occasion.

Mr Elahi said: “We are deeply saddened by the death of Begum Shamim Akhtar. She was a virtuous and elegant woman.” Shehbaz also inquired after the health of Chaudhry Shujaat from Elahi.

This is the first Shehbaz-Elahi meeting after about 20 years. Both the PML-N and PML-Q are rival parties. Chaudhry Shujaat had also spoken to former premier Nawaz Sharif on phone and condoled with him the death of his mother.

Former premier Yousuf Raza Gilani and Jamaat-i-Islami chief Sirajul Haq also called on Shehbaz and expressed their condolences.

Published in Dawn, December 4th, 2020