An unidentified Pakistani official and police officers gather outside a house, where family members of slain al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, are believed to be held.—AP Photo

ISLAMABAD: A defense lawyer for Osama bin Laden's family says a Pakistani court is set to charge his clients with illegally entering and residing in the country.

Senior civil judge Shahrukh Arjumand heard the case at a house where bin Laden’s family is under detention.

Earlier the house was given the status of a sub-jail.

The hearing of the case has been adjourned till Apr 2.

The court gave the five women copies of the case and evidence against them.

The women have been in detention since last May when US marines killed bin Laden at his home in Abbotabad.

“The court issued orders to all the defendants to produce their arguments till the next hearing,” bin Laden’s family lawyer Aamir Khalil informed.

Zakaria al Sadah, the brother of bin Laden’s youngest wife attended the session with the permission of the court.

Amir Khalil said that the charges will be made against three of bin Laden's widows and two daughters when the hearing resumes on April 2.

Bin Laden and his wives were living with eight of their children and three employees.

It's unclear what will happen to the people who aren't charged.

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.