PTA Chief issues clarification after accusing Aimal Wali of taking 'charas'

Chairman of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Major General (retd) Hafeez Ur Rehman issued a clarification on Thursday, one day after he accused Awami National Party (ANP) Senator Aimal Wali Khan of smoking charas (weed) during an official meeting. 

The row had taken place between the PTA head and Aimal Wali during a meeting of the Senate held at the Parliament House on Wednesday, chaired by Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani, to discuss the routine agenda. 

After being accused of ‘smoking charas’ Aimal Wali burst out at the PTA head, saying, “Who gave you the audacity to speak like this [to me]," he asked. 

The PTA chairman, while apparently attempting to mollify Aimal Wali, offered an apology, saying, “It was a mistake on my part.” However, the Senator did not hold back.

“If you use drugs or alcohol, then you make such comments. One should never speak falsely. This must not happen in any meeting. How dare a government employee say to me that I came here after smoking weed,” the Senator shouted.

Eventually, the PTA chairman had to leave the session.

Following the meeting, Aimal Wali told a reporter outside Parliament House that he would make sure the PTA Chairman was removed from his post. “They are government employees, and we are public representatives,” he stressed. 

The Senator then took to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday night to demand Chairman PTA’s accountability over his remarks.

“I will move a privilege motion against General Hafeez-ur-Rehman for slander and stereotyping. It wasn't merely a personal attack but an affront to the dignity and integrity of the Senate of Pakistan. Such drunk-on-power officials must be held accountable and removed from their positions,” he wrote.

In a statement issued by PTA, Hafeez Ur Rehman said that he had no intention of being disrespectful towards Senator Aimal Wali during the “Senate Functional Committee on Problems of Less Developed Areas”, held on Wednesday.

Chairman PTA said that upon returning to the room, “by Honorable Senator, a light-hearted remark was exchanged with Honourable Senator Aimal Wali,” adding, however, if any unintended offence was caused, he has already extended his unconditional apology before the Honourable Committee. 

He emphasized that he holds Aimal Wali and his esteemed family in the highest regard and continues to respect all members of the Senate, reaffirming his unwavering commitment to uphold parliamentary decorum and to serve the nation within the bounds of law and official protocols.

Maintaining that the campaign run against him on social and political platforms “is based purely on a misunderstanding”, he underscored that his record reflects institutional performance and reforms.

Calling for a more constructive and positive approach moving forward, the chairman stressed the need to prioritise national interest and unite to address telecom infrastructure concerns.