Leader of the Opposition in Punjab Assembly and son of former Punjab chief minister Hamza Shehbaz was shifted to Lahore’s Jinnah Hospital on Friday days after he contracted the coronavirus in prison, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

In a tweet on Sunday last, PML-N President and former Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif had confirmed the news. He said “My son Hamza has contracted coronavirus in jail.”

Shehbaz Sharif requested everyone to offer special prayers for the early recovery of his son.

He further said in the tweet that his son Hamza had faced with courage all the cases during the regime of dictator Musharraf and now he has been steadfast in facing the political vendetta in the form of Niazi-NAB nexus.

Reports said Hamza had complained of abdominal pain and motions a few days back, adding that his test report of typhoid and COVID-19 has come negative.

Shehbaz Sharif also visited the jail to see his son Hamza and inquired about his health.

Though PML-N leaders asked the government to shift Hamza Shehbaz to Ittefaq Hospital for treatment but minister after minister opposed the request. However, the Punjab government had formed a medical board to assess the health condition of Hamza and also ruled out any possibility of shifting him to any private hospital. But after a week the government has a change of heart and shifted Hamza Shehbaz to Jinnah Hospital. 

Hamza’s wife has also contacted coronavirus. Hamza held a meeting with his family members on Saturday in Kot Lakhpat jail.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has filed a Rs7 billion money laundering and assets beyond means reference against Shehbaz Sharif family including his wife, sons and two daughters.

According to the reference, the NAB has nominated former chief minister, his wife Nusrat Shehbaz, sons Hamza Shehbaz, Suleman Shehbaz, daughters Rabia Imran and Javeria Ali in the reference. Suleman Shehbaz has been declared a proclaimed offender in this case.

Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz is in jail on judicial remand. Earlier, his bail application was turned down by the Lahore High Court in the money laundering case.