Nawaz Sharif's ailing wife Kulsoom dies in London

Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, the wife of Pakistan's jailed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, died Tuesday in London after a protracted battle with throat cancer.

Kulsoom, who was under treatment at London's Harley Street Clinic since June 2014, was placed on life support earlier Tuesday after her health deteriorated, Geo TV reported.

The health of the 68-year-old former first lady began deteriorating Monday night as she had developed a lung problem again, the channel said.

Sharif's brother and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz president Shehbaz Sharif confirmed her death in a tweet.

"My sister-in-law and the wife of Nawaz Sharif sahib is no more amongst us. May God bless her soul," he tweeted in Urdu.

Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar are currently serving jail terms in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi after being convicted by an accountability court in a corruption case in July.

Citing sources, the channel said Sharif, Maryam, and Safdar have been informed about Kulsoom's death.

The trio will be granted parole to attend the funeral of Begum Kulsoom, Geo TV reported.

The three will be granted parole from the time of Kulsoom's funeral prayers till her burial, it said, citing the Interior Ministry sources.

The Sharif family has decided to bring back Kulsoom's body to Pakistan, reports said.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party leader Khawaja Imran Nazeer, speaking to the media in London, said Begum Kulsoom may be laid to rest in the family home at Raiwind, near Lahore, but clarified that all decisions will be finalised only after consultation between family members.

He said in case the family decides to bury her in Pakistan, the repatriation process may take two or three days, Dawn newspaper reported.

Pakistan President Dr Arif Alvi condoled the death of Kulsoom. "My condolences to the Sharif family on this loss. May her soul rest in peace," he tweeted.

Prime Minister Imran Khan also condoled the death of Kulsoom.

In a statement, the prime minister said all facilities will be provided to the family and heirs of Kulsoom as per law.

Khan has directed the Pakistan High Commission in London to assist in provision of all necessary facilities to the family of the deceased, the statement said.

Army Chief Gen. Qamar Jawed Bajwa also expressed grief over Kulsoom's death and extended condolences to her family.

"COAS expresses his grief and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family on sad demise of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz," the army spokesperson tweeted.

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also expressed his sadness over the death of Kulsoom, saying she was "a brave woman who fought for democracy."