PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar resigns from defence committee

E-Paper | May 01, 2026

PPP's Senator Farhatullah Babar resigned from the Senate's Standing Committee on Defence on Friday.

He refused to comment on the reasons for his resignation but raised questions over parliamentarians visiting the General Headquarters (GHQ).

When the GHQ was asked to produce documents by the parliament, it was informed that sensitive documents cannot be brought out of the GHQ, Babar said while talking to DawnNews after his resignation. "Can the GHQ not ensure security of sensitive documents for even 15 kilometres?" Babar asked, adding that the "GHQ should come to the parliament rather than the parliament going to the GHQ".

Babar will be replaced by PPP's Farooq H. Naek in the committee.

Members of the standing committees of defence of the Senate and National Assembly had visited the GHQ and met with the Chief of Army Staff last month. During the visit, Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa had said that he wanted enhanced interaction with parliament.

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Nadir Guramani is a journalist and anchorperson for Dawn News (TV) with 17 years of experience. His reporting covers parliamentary affairs, foreign policy, politics, climate change, and human rights. He can be found on X at @nguramani.

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DR RATHORE THROUGH THE LENS OF MIDDLE EAST

Oct 20, 2017 05:01pm

GOOD NEWS.

Recommend 0

Nomi Goraya

Oct 20, 2017 05:02pm

Bravo and valid point why they can not secure the documents from GHQ to Parliament? Stick to your stand as democracy means rule of people by the people for the people.

Recommend 0

Ahmed bin Babar

Oct 20, 2017 05:12pm

We cannot put our house in order over a night but sincere efforts must be hailed & respected to uphold the rule of law for one strong and viable democratic system of governance...

Recommend 0

Qamar Abad

Oct 20, 2017 05:20pm

Farhatullah vs Babar deserves appreciation. This is what should be expected from parliamentarians. Thanks to him and Raza Rabbani for their efforts.

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Masood Hussain

Oct 20, 2017 05:26pm

Babar is very right

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Dnyaneshwar Maharaj

Oct 20, 2017 05:41pm

Pakistan is really going in democratic way .. Good job without fear or favour. But can other politicians can show this sort of courage ? They need to be clean first.

Recommend 0

Oct 20, 2017 05:53pm

Principled and courageous.

Recommend 0

Ayub

Oct 20, 2017 06:19pm

Babar is a true democrat and a man of principal and good conscious.

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Kamil

Oct 20, 2017 06:24pm

Please also resign from senate .

Recommend 0

jeff mahagaonvi

Oct 20, 2017 07:13pm

Farhatullah Babar is a uprightman, Bravo.. You have a valid point.. Every democracy loving person will salute you.

Recommend 0

AAhmed

Oct 20, 2017 08:20pm

@Nomi Goraya I respect the stance but disagree the reaction. One can not steer the boat by getting off the boat. Senator Babar, should have stayed on the committee and tried to raised this point effectively in every meeting.. Educating his colleagues and the GHQ, that it is belter for their own interest and for the interest of the country that they follow the rules of democratic order in which people decide matters not take dictation from the gunslinger.

Recommend 0

Arslan

Oct 20, 2017 08:35pm

Excellent show of moral fiber by Farhat ullah Babar. I wish all politicians have spine to progress democracy like him.

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Waqas shaikh

Oct 20, 2017 08:41pm

Very good and bold decision. I commend Senator Farhat Ullah Babar for standing to uphold the power of Parliment.

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Common man

Oct 20, 2017 08:43pm

Farhat Ullah Babar shows he is man of principals and a real man with courage. There are many PPP leaders who understand what is going on and wants to stop it, but political motivation of BB and AAZ stop them to act upon on their conscience. Long Live Babar.

Recommend 0

Awais

Oct 20, 2017 08:53pm

FB has taken a bold decision but hopefully it is a tactical move. Resignation means to leave a position for a principle but then the other side is to leave it for someone who may not have the same principles so a Principled voice is then lost in the Defence Committee

Recommend 0

Inclusive political institution

Oct 20, 2017 09:18pm

It's good to be a pure democrat but not at the expense of nation's exchequer. This guy always biased towards a security institution, while more loyal blindly to corrupt extractive political party. I will certainly appreciate him after he resigns from all the posts in all forums, and go home .

Recommend 0

Riaz Ahmed

Oct 20, 2017 09:36pm

fb is a lone ranger in herd of sheep known as parliament. I salute him for his service and courage to stand up for something when others are slave to self interests and are in the parliament to enrich themselves and their families...we need more people of his caliber and not less ...but unfortunately we will not find them.

Recommend 0

Khanm

Oct 20, 2017 10:02pm

Great going....Always have something to say. The man who has something to say and who is known never to speak unless he has, is sure to be listened to.good luck

Recommend 0

Mohammad Riaz

Oct 20, 2017 11:24pm

Corrupt politicians can not be trusted .

Recommend 0

Asif A. Shah

Oct 21, 2017 04:38am

My hats off to Farhatullah Baber. A man of conscience. PPP should have more people like him in the party. Let it be clear to everybody, we are in a new era where the people at large want the supremacy of the civilians over the military.

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My Advice

Oct 21, 2017 05:34am

Looking at the so called democracy, hardly any useful discussion in assembly, sometimes no quorum, or members do not attend. So, its important for members to establish their credibility first, before starting to issue orders. We all know very respected and very high value of 'senate seats' of course. All need to understand prevailing situation and work together for what is good for the country.

Recommend 0

Sherish

Oct 21, 2017 01:10pm

The ghq has valid reason to not showe sensitive doc to currpet parlimentarian. Because these parlimantarians have no moral value after passing the stupid election law2017.

Recommend 0

DrKhan

Oct 21, 2017 04:43pm

This is what he could do as he knows that holy cows are untouchable.

Recommend 0

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