Shehbaz, Hamza's parole extended by a day

The Punjab government extended the parole of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz and his son Hamza Shahbaz for 24 hours on Wednesday.

Their five-day parole, granted on November 27, to attend Begum Shamim Akhtar's funeral, lapsed today.

The announcement came from Special Assistant to Chief Minister Punjab on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan in a tweet. She said the decision was made on the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar.

The provincial home department had issued a notification approving the release of the father and son.

On November 23, the PML-N had filed an application seeking release on parole for PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shahbaz, following the death of Begum Shamim Akhtar in London on November 20.

Deputy Secretary-General PML-N Ataullah Tarar submitted a request to the deputy commissioner Lahore for their immediate release on parole for two weeks to attend the funeral.

According to the home department, the PML-N had requested for the two to be released for at least 14 days. However, Buzdar and the cabinet approved a five-day parole.

The parole was granted under Section 545B of the Pakistan Prison Rules 1978, the notification stated.

According to the home department, the PML-N leaders were released on humanitarian grounds.