LONDON: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote a letter to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif to extend condolences on the demise of the latter’s mother last month.
The Indian High Commission in Islamabad last week forwarded the letter to PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz with a request to be conveyed to her father who has been residing in London since last year.
Begum Shamim Akhtar, mother of Nawaz and PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif, had passed away in Britain on November 22. Her body was later flown to Pakistan and she was laid to rest at the family’s Jati Umra estate in Lahore.
According to a local newspaper, the letter dated Nov 27 stated that Modi conveyed ‘heartfelt condolences’ to the former premier over his mother’s death.
“Dear Mian Sahib, I am deeply saddened to learn about the demise of your mother Begum Shamim Akhtar. My heartfelt condolences are with you in this hour of intense grief,” Narendra Modi wrote.
Modi recalled his interaction with Nawaz’s mother during his brief visit to Lahore in 2015, saying that her simplicity and warmth was indeed very touching. “In this moment of profound grief, I pray to the Almighty to bestow strength upon you and your family to bear this irreparable loss,” he added.
In a separate letter sent to Maryam on Dec 11 at her Lahore residence, Indian Charge d’Affaires Gaurav Ahluwalia requested her to convey the condolence message to Nawaz in London.
