Shehbaz, Hamza Release on Parole Becomes Political Issue

The release of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Mian Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz for the funeral of their mother and grandmother Begum Shamim Akhtar on parole has become political issue.

Both father and son are currently in the NAB custody in Kot Lakhpat Jail on charges of money laundering and assets beyond means.

On behalf of both, PML-N Deputy Secretary General Ataullah Tarar Advocate has recently submitted a petition to the DC Lahore.

In which, it has been requested to release them on parole for at least two weeks.

The petition states that both the persons are elders of their respective families.

They have to make preparations for the funeral and support their family in this difficult time.

Meanwhile, Lahore Deputy Commissioner Mudassar Riaz Malik told Daily Dawn that he does not have an authority to grant parole beyond 12 hours.

Talking on Hum News, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Punjab for Information Firdous Ashiq Awan said that Jail Manual is very clear about parole.

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According to her, “until someone’s funeral is announced, release on parole is not possible according to Jail Manual.”

She said it was not yet clear when the body of Shahbaz Sharif’s mother would arrive in Lahore.

Earlier, PML-N founder Nawaz Sharif, his daughter and son-in-law were in jail at the time of funeral of Kalsoom Nawaz but all three were released on parole for 12 hours.

After that, another petition was filed, in which they requested to declare Jati Umra a sub-jail, then the three were released on parole for a week.

Lahore Deputy Commissioner Mudassar Riaz also told Dawn that under normal circumstances person can only be released on parole for 12 hours but it is the prerogative of the provincial government to extend the release on parole beyond 12 hours.

Leading lawmaker Aitzaz Ahsan had said in a TV interview on the death of Kulsoom Nawaz that “the law does not specify the period for release on parole and it is at the discretion of the government to decide.

Questions are also being asked on social media about the release of Shahbaz Sharif on parole.

What is the need for his release on parole for two weeks? Three or four days or a week should be enough.

However, some consumers also say that government must show some flexibility and sympathy to the aggrieved family and grant them 15 days on parole.