Pak PM’s wife visits her old school

Rukhsana Aziz, wife of Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, speaks at a reception organised by Holy Cross Girls' School in Dhaka yesterday. She is a former student of the school. PHOTO: PID

Rukhsana Aziz, wife of Shaukat Aziz, studied at Holy Cross School from 1962 to 1965 and passed class V, VI and VIII from the institution. She became immensely happy and nostalgic, getting back her school friends.

“She embraced and kissed her classmates. She took tea with her friends and schoolteachers, reminiscing their old days,” says a firsthand account of the emotional reunion.

Among the classmates were Khadiza Afzal, Sajia Tanveer, Mahfuza Ahmed and Shanaj Reza Ali.

Two senior-most teachers of her timesSaleha Anwar and Anjumara Ahmedwere also present at the function. Rukhsana recalled their motherly affection for her.

Sources in the Holy Cross School said ahead of the Dhaka trip, the wife of Pakistan's prime minister remembered her classmates and communicated with them through the Pak Embassy here. She also invited them to be present at her school-visit programme.

Rukhsana came to the school at 5:10pm, accompanied by the members of her entourage--Nasreen Kasuri, wife of Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khursid Mahmood Kasuri, Ghazala Babur, wife of Pakistan's high commissioner in Dhaka, Shazia Irfan Azam, wife of military secretary to the Pakistan's prime minister. She spent more than an hour with her school friends and teachers.

Director General of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Dilara Hafiz and Mrs Osman Faruque, wife of Education Minister Osman Farruk, also accompanied the wife of Pakistan prime minister.

The school authorities organised a simple function in honour of the wife of Pakistan prime minister.

A few students and teachers were present at the function. Headmistress of the Holy Cross School Sister Philomena Quiah received Rukhsana Aziz.