PTA chief’s “cannabis cigarette” jab against Aimal Wali sparks Senate showdown

ISLAMABAD: A routine meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Less Developed Areas descended into chaos on Wednesday after Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Hafeez ur Rehman levelled startling allegations against Awami National Party (ANP) Senator Aimal Wali, accusing him of smoking a cannabis-laced cigarette or charas.

The controversy began when the PTA chairman sarcastically remarked, “Give me a cannabis cigarette too,” while addressing the committee chairman in apparent reference to Wali. The comment triggered an immediate and furious response from the ANP leader, who demanded to know what was wrong with the PTA chief. “How can a government officer say that I came here after smoking cannabis? This behavior from a public servant is completely unacceptable,” Senator Wali thundered. “Who gave you the right to speak like this?”

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After a heated back-and-forth, Chairman Rehman conceded, “I made a mistake,” but the senator remained incensed. “People who themselves drink alcohol or smoke cannabis make such accusations,” he retorted.

The confrontation reached a point where Senator Aimal Wali issued an ultimatum: “Either the PTA chairman leaves this meeting, or I will.” Ultimately, Rehman was compelled to exit the session.

Committee Chairman Senator Agha Shahzeb Durrani strongly condemned the PTA chief’s conduct, stating he had insulted not just Senator Aimal Wali but the entire committee. Durrani announced the matter would be brought to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s attention with a request for action against the PTA chairman. The committee also directed the IT secretary to take notice of the incident, underscoring growing concerns over the conduct of senior officials in parliamentary proceedings.