Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Monday allowed former law minister Dr Babar Awan to defend the federal government, with certain conditions, in the review appeal against the controversial National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) verdict.

During today’s hearing, the chief justice expressed concerns over why the federal government wanted to defend a law which had been termed as the ‘Black Law’ by former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in her book.

Awan asked the court for more time to prepare for the case so he can be better equipped at informing the court regarding the NRO. The Supreme Court also asked him to present his point of view on the decision of the review petition so it can decide if he has the permission from the federation to represent it.

The former minister, while talking to the media, mentioned that the federal government did not get permission to approve the change of lawyer in the review petition by the Supreme Court.