Messages of support, prayers and good will were expressed by friends, family supporters and political enemies alike after the Sharif family confirmed that former first lady and candidate for federal parliamentarian Kalsoom Nawaz has been diagnosed with throat cancer.
News of the wife of the former Prime Minister being diagnosed with first stage throat cancer began circulating a day ago and was confronted by daughter Maryam Nawaz, who tweeted out the official announcement and asked for the nation’s prayers, adding that the family was lucky to catch the fatal disease in the early stages.
“My mother has been diagnosed with lymphoma, cancer of lymph nodes, left side of neck in her case. Her treatment begins immediately” said Maryum through twitter.
“Drs hopeful that since it is diagnosed at an early stage,its curable. Thanku for yr kind prayers. May Allah bless her with complete recovery” she added.
The news has been met with wide ranging sympathy not just from the PML-N but also the opposition.
Pakistan Tehreek I Insaaf chairman Imran Khan, who lost his mother to the same disease which prompted him to build Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, was one of the first to extend his prayers for Kalsoom Nawaz. “I wish her the best as she fights this disease and pray she wins her battle against cancer” said Khan.
Others were quick to follow suit, with Sheikh Rasheed praying for the former first lady’s quick recovery in the middle of his daily stream of political rhetoric.
Health Minister in Khayber Pakhtunkhwa Shahram Khan Tarakzai also prayed for Kalsoom’s recovery, sending out a tweet soon after the news spread saying “Best wishes for Kalsoom Nawaz Sharif. I pray for her fast recovery, long and healthy life.”
Kalsoom has also naturally received much support from her family and members of the PML-N, who have been praying for her as well as paying tribute to her for her role as first lady and her stepping up to fill her husband’s shoes.
Punjab Chief Minister and her brother in law Shehbaz Sharif also publically sent out his good wishes, saying “My best wishes & prayers for my Kalsoom bhabi for her quick recovery, good health & long life! The whole family stands by her…”
Others such as Abid Sher Ali made their feelings known as well, as he went on to say “May Allah SWT bless Begum Kalsoom Nawaz Sahiba with profound health.The prayers of entire nation r wth her.I pray 4 her early recovery.Ameen.”
From the Pakistan People’s Party, Asifa Bhutto Zardari made a tweet expressing her and her family’s support for Kalsoom Nawaz in her and the Sharif family’s time of personal crisis.
“Our family sends prayers to Begum Kulsoom Nawaz praying for her swift recovery” she said.
The support and prayer continued from all corners despite the great chasms of political divides existing in the country today. However the reactions of opposition leaders including the Bhuttos and Imran Khan has meant that people have also managed to separate political differences and enmity with personal and human tragedy.