The Supreme Court (SC) has allowed Babar Awan to give arguments conditionally and as per merit in the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) review petition. A 17-member full bench of the apex court presided over by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry took up the case for hearing on Monday. Babar Awan appeared on behalf of the Federation. He informed the court that federation had appointed him its counsel in the review petitions. Earlier the court had allowed Latif Khosa to appear in this case. The court inquired from Babar Awan as to why Kamal Azfar, who was appointed first counsel in this case, was removed. Babar Awan told the court that Kamal Azfar was appointed as an advisor to the Prime Minister, therefore, he could not appear in the case and he had resigned. The Chief Justice remarked Kamal Azfar was given threats and he had written a letter to the court. If government could not protect its counsel then who would provide protection to him, he questioned. Kamal Azfar was one of the senior most lawyers and he was respectable for all of us. When court authors verdict it will make mention of the threats given to Kamal Azfar in the decision, the Chief Justice further remarked. Babar Awan said no threat was given to Kamal Azfar, adding he had just met him in bar room. The Chief Justice said the matter of hurling threats on Kamal Azfar was very grave. You can also face such situation in future, he observed while addressing Babar Awan. This is not a matter of Kamal Azfar but this is a question of an issue. Several senior lawyers were killed in Karachi. We have to ensure protection of life to legal fraternity. This is matter of entire lawyer community. Bench and bar are not separate. Lawyers should also show solidarity with each other. You or any senior officer of government should give in writing that Kamal Azfar was facing no threat. The way he was removed should come on record at least. First of all Kamal Azfar is appointed lawyer, then he is given threats and then it is wanted that court should not take any notice, CJP remarked. Justice Asif Saeed Khosa inquired from Babar Awan as to why Federation wanted to appoint another counsel in presence of Attorney General. Babar Awan said every body was entitled to appoint lawyer of his choice as per the Constitution. Justice Shakir Ullah Jan inquired from him if he has come here to represent Federation then if he sees the decision provides any room for its review. Babar Awan said he knows where the lacunas exist in the decision. Justice Saqib Nisar inquired if he wanted Kamal Azfar to represent the Federation in this case. Babar Awan said Kamal Azfar had received no threat. Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani observed if Kamal Azfar had not been given any threat then he should be allowed to appear. The Chief Justice said court wanted that government should give statement to the effect that Kamal Azfar was facing no threat. Babar Awan said any client had right to change his counsel regardless of federation application. The Chief Justice said to him decision to allow you to appear in the case will be given later now you should give arguments on merit. Babar Awan said that he be allowed more time as he had not made preparations for the case. The Chief Justice said it could not be done so. Last hearing of this case had taken place on April, 19. If the counsel was to be changed and or there was some other problem then the federation could make preparations for the case during the seven months. Decisions were given against several persons in NRO case but no one approached the court against these decisions. Then Federation was facing what problem in this respect, he remarked. The Chief Justice further remarked, Parliament did not endorse NRO. It is a big thing. When parliament has not accepted it then as to why the incumbent democratic government which has come into power after long struggle has stood for protection of draconian law of a dictator. Shaheed Benazir Bhutto had also opposed NRO in his book Reconciliation. The court, while allowing a day to Babar Awan for preparation of the case, adjourned the hearing till Tuesday.