NEW DELHI, (DNA) – India’s Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday expressed her grief over the death of Pakistan’s former first lady while extending condolences to the Sharif family.

“I am sorry to know about the sad demise of Mrs. Kulsoom Nawaz. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. May her soul rest in peace,” the Indian foreign minister wrote on Twitter.

Kulsoom, the wife of disgraced PM and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif, passed away at London’s Harley Street Clinic after a prolonged battle with cancer.

The news was confirmed by PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif. Kulsoom Nawaz is survived by her husband and four children, Hassan, Hussain, Maryam and Asma.

“My sister-in-law and wife of Mian Nawaz Sharif, Begum Kulsoom Nawaz is no more. May her soul rest in peace,” Shehbaz Sharif said in a twitter announcement.

“Nawaz Sharif had always consulted Kulsoom Nawaz during his tough hours. She [Kulsoom Nawaz] challenged dictatorship courageously,” stated Shehbaz while adding at the same time late Kulsoom’s affiliation with democracy was proven and time-tested.

Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz, who are serving sentence in Adiala Jail, have also been informed about the demise of Begum Kulsoom. The former first lady was diagnosed with lymphoma (throat cancer) in August 2017 after which, she was shifted to London’s Harley Street Clinic for treatment.

Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz had flown to London several times to inquire about the health of Kulsoom Nawaz.

Her funeral prayers will be offered at Regent’s Park in London Thursday and her body will be brought back to Pakistan after fulfilling legal obligations on Friday. She will be buried alongside her father-in-law, Mian Sharif, at Jati Umra.