An unexpected drama unfolded during a recent session of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology, when an exchange between the Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and Senator Aimal Wali Khan spiraled into a heated controversy.
A Shocking Allegation in the Senate
The session took a dramatic turn when the Chairman PTA, in what he later described as a “joke,” allegedly taunted Senator Aimal Wali Khan by implying that he was under the influence of drugs. Eyewitnesses claim that the Chairman sarcastically said, “Mujhe bhi charas ka cigarette dein” (“Give me one of those hashish cigarettes too”), while responding to the senator’s remarks.
The comment stunned the room.
Visibly angered, Senator Aimal Wali Khan lashed out, saying:
> “A government officer cannot speak to a senator like this. How dare you suggest I’m high on drugs?”
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He added, “If you use drugs or alcohol, you may think such things are normal, but your behavior is completely unacceptable.”
Apology Amid Chaos
Realizing the gravity of his remarks, the PTA Chairman attempted to defuse the situation.
> “I made a mistake,” he admitted, repeatedly apologizing to Senator Aimal Wali Khan and the committee.
But the senator was not convinced. Furious and offended, he demanded strict action against the official.
> “The PTA Chairman will remain in the meeting or I will,” he declared bluntly.
Eventually, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani, intervened and condemned the PTA chief’s conduct. He stated:
> “This behavior is not just an insult to Senator Aimal Wali but to the entire Standing Committee.”
The situation escalated to the point that the PTA Chairman had to leave the meeting upon the committee’s request.
A Matter for the Prime Minister?
Senator Durrani further announced that the committee would raise the issue with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, demanding appropriate action against the PTA Chairman. He also directed the Secretary of IT to take formal notice of the incident.
> “This issue goes beyond one senator. It is about maintaining the dignity of this institution,” said Durrani.
Conclusion
This fiery episode has sparked serious questions about professional conduct in public office. While the PTA Chairman’s remarks may have been meant as sarcasm, the context and setting—an official Senate meeting—made them highly inappropriate. The incident not only embarrassed a senator but also raised concerns about the behavior of senior officials in government forums.
As the matter awaits action from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of IT, one thing is certain: this controversy has left a mark on parliamentary decorum that won’t be forgotten soon.
