ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and senior counsel Naeem Bokhari had an exchange of words during hearing of case related to commercial activities in Margalla Hills.  

Three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Isa, heard review petitions against closure of Monal and other restaurants. During hearing, Naeem Bokhari, counsel for restaurants’ owners, argued that decision to close restaurants was not voluntary and that they were not given fair chance of hearing. CJP remarked that order was passed with consent of restaurants’ owners. Advocate Bokhari responded that there were only two options before owners. He noted that respondents were not properly heard while making decision. He said that FIA had probed case and found that owners of restaurants were not doing any illegal activity. Chief Justice questioned relevance of FIA investigation.  Bokhari claimed agency had previously cleared restaurants’ owners of any wrongdoing. He mentioned past incidents wherein authorities overstepped but chief justice dismissed arguments as being irrelevant.   Counsel and Chief Justice exchanged words over friction. However, Bokhari little later apologised for raising his voice during arguments and Chief Justice acknowledged that “Sometimes difficult questions are necessary to understand case”. Later, court reserved verdict.