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.