ISLAMABAD: During a session of the Senate on Friday, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Farhatullah Babar’s microphone was switched off after he said the Inter-Service Public Relations’ silence over Musharraf’s assertion of enjoying military support gave the impression that the army was clandestinely backing the retired general’s claim, DawnNews reported.
Chairman Senate Nayyar Hussain Bokhari had ordered the switching off of the microphone and said Babar could not issue such remarks while raising a point of objection.
Babar had also said he had expected the ISPR to comment on Musharraf’s statement as it had done on Munawwar Hasan’s “martyr comment”, but the army’s media wing remained quiet.
Raja Zafarul Haq of Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) said the defence ministry had earlier given an explanation on Musharraf’s statement and added that the ISPR was not obliged to respond to every statement.
Moreover, Awami National Party’s (ANP) Senator Haji Adeel said the government was more concerned with the trial of the former military ruler and his security rather than focusing on talks with the Taliban.
Other issues pertaining to the political and security situation of the country were also discussed during the session.