ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Wednesday ordered a standing committee to conduct detailed probe of a recent statement by former interior minister Senator Rehman Malik, where he claimed some foreign embassies in Islamabad were involved in tapping phone calls of important personalities in Pakistan.

The Upper House directed the standing committee to submit a report on the claim within two months.

The House admitted the adjournment motion moved by Senator Chaudhry Tanvir Khan, who sought a debate on Rehman Malik’s comments, pushing for other matters to be set aside to discuss the issue.

Pressing for admissibility of the motion, Chaudhary Tanvir said a thorough investigation should be conducted to ascertain facts related to telephone bugging of important personalities.

State Minister for Interior Baleeghur Rehman said the government respected the sovereignty of the House and would abide by its decision. But he argued there was no need to hold discussions on the issue after suspending proceedings of the House.

Leader of the Opposition in Senate Aitzaz Ahsan said the matter was serious enough to be referred to a standing committee for thorough investigations and a comprehensive report in this regard should be submitted to the House.