PTA chief expresses regret over ‘charas' remark as Senate refers matter to panel

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Major General (retd) Hafeez Ur Rehman has expressed regret over the incident during the recent Senate meeting, stating it was the result of a misunderstanding.

A clash had occurred a day earlier after the PTA chairman made an inappropriate remark towards Awami National Party (ANP) President Senator Aimal Wali Khan, reportedly asking if he had smoked charas (a type of hand-made hashish).

In a statement, he clarified that he had no intention of using disrespectful or unparliamentary language. He explained that a brief exchange occurred informally upon the return of senators to the meeting, and that if it inadvertently caused offence, he had already issued an apology before the committee.

The PTA chairman said he holds Senator Aimal Wali Khan and his family in high regard and respects all members of the Senate. He reaffirmed his commitment to continuing his duties in line with parliamentary protocols and legal frameworks.

He also stated that his institutional record speaks for itself, and that the ongoing criticism on social media and in political discourse is based on a misunderstanding.

“It is now necessary to move forward with patience and a constructive attitude in the national interest,” he added.

The clarification came after Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani referred the disciplinary matter to the Senate Privileges Committee, following a heated altercation in Wednesday’s Senate Functional Committee on Problems of Less Developed Areas meeting chaired by Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani.

During the meeting, Rehman asked Wali whether he had smoked chars. In response, he said: “How can a government official tell me I’ve come here after smoking charas?” Senator Aimal said as he expressed outrage over the comment. “Who gave you [PTA chief] the audacity to speak like this [to me]?” he added.

The PTA chairman later attempted to defuse the situation, saying, “It was a mistake on my part,” and apologised to the senator. 

However, Senator Aimal refused to accept the apology, stating, “If you use drugs or alcohol, then you make such comments,” and demanded disciplinary action. “Either he stays in the meeting, or I do,” he said.

The PTA chairman ultimately left the session.

Senator Durrani condemned the PTA chairman’s behaviour, calling it “disrespectful not just to the senator but to the entire committee.” 

He added that “this is not acceptable from any officer,” and stated that the matter would be raised with the prime minister. He also directed the IT secretary to take note of the incident.

Earlier in the session, Senator Aimal strongly criticised the state of telecom infrastructure in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying the billions spent through the Universal Service Fund were not reflected on the ground. 

“It is nearly impossible to make phone calls in Kurram, Chitral, Swat, Swabi, and Buner,” he said, demanding detailed written reports for the next meeting.

The ANP has submitted a privilege motion in the Senate over the PTA chairman’s conduct, ANP spokesperson Ihsanullah revealed on Thursday, saying that the matter has also been brought to the prime minister's notice.

“The PTA chairman’s behaviour is intolerable,” said Ihsanullah. “In the Senate committee meeting, he adopted an inappropriate attitude towards our party president Aimal Wali.”

He further demanded the immediate removal of the PTA chairman, adding, “We will go to any extent to ensure accountability.”