An accountability court in Lahore on Thursday declared family members of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif absconders in a money laundering reference. The court took the decision after the accused failed to appear before the court despite multiple summons.

The accused include Shahbaz Sharif's wife Nusrat Shehbaz, son Salman Shehbaz, daughter Rabia Imran and son-in-law.

During the proceedings today, Judge Jawadal Hassan remarked that the accused were summoned through a proclamation, however, 30 days had passed and the accused had still not appeared in court. Shahbaz Sharif and Hamza Sharif were present during the session.

The court then adjourned the case hearing till December 3.

Punjab govt releases Shahbaz, Hamza Sharif on five-day parole:

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar approved the five-day parole of PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shahbaz. The request was approved to allow them to attend the funeral procession of Shehbaz's mother Begum Shamim Akhtar.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Attaullah Tarar on Monday had submitted an application to the deputy commissioner for parole release of PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shahbaz for two weeks.

The plaintiff, in the application, took the stance that parole relief should be granted to the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif and the Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Hamza Shahbaz on a humanitarian basis.

The applicant said that there is no bigger loss in this world than the passing away of one’s mother, therefore, Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shahbaz should be released immediately so that they can pay their respects to the departed soul.

The application was submitted after the Punjab government on Sunday decided to release them both on parole after submission of a formal application.

In a statement released by Punjab Minister for Prisons, Fayyaz-ul-Hassan Chohan said that releasing Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz on parole was their legal and moral right, adding that the provincial government will take a decision after receiving an application from the Sharif family. the Punjab government had decided on Sunday to release them both on parole after submission of a formal application.

The parole-based release will come into effect once Begum Shamim's body reaches Pakistan.