A Senate Functional Committee meeting took an unexpected turn on Tuesday when Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman, Major General (Retd.) Hafeez Ur Rehman, made an explosive accusation against Awami National Party (ANP) leader Senator Aimal Wali Khan — alleging he was under the influence of drugs during the session.

According to details, the session escalated into a heated exchange when the PTA chief, in a surprising and inappropriate tone, remarked: “You seem like you’ve had a joint. Why don’t you pass me one too?”

The controversial comment outraged Senator Aimal Wali Khan, who immediately hit back, saying, “Who gave you the right to speak to me like that? How can a government official accuse me of smoking weed in a formal committee meeting?”

Calling the behavior “unacceptable and disgraceful,” Aimal Wali further retorted, “If you’re the one smoking weed and drinking, don’t drag others into it.”

Realizing the gravity of the situation, the PTA chairman admitted his mistake and repeatedly apologized. But Aimal Wali wasn’t having it. Terming the incident “a serious breach of decorum,” he demanded action against the chairman, stating bluntly, “Either he stays in the meeting or I do.”

Following the tense exchange, the PTA chief was asked to leave the session.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani, strongly condemned the PTA official’s remarks, declaring it not only an insult to Aimal Wali but an affront to the entire committee. He announced his intention to escalate the matter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and urged disciplinary action.

Durrani also directed the Secretary of the Ministry of Information Technology to formally take notice and initiate appropriate proceedings.

Other committee members echoed the condemnation and expressed full solidarity with Senator Aimal Wali, calling for stricter accountability of government officials in parliamentary settings.