However, the minister and others declined to be part of the meeting on the plea that since the foundation was a private entity, the question of their appearance before the committee could not arise.
The House resumed business with a whopping one-hour delay for unknown reasons.
Senator Farhatullah Babar raised the matter and said that as per rules, the committee could summon any person, there was no question of a person being a government servant or otherwise.
He said that 12 senators requisitioned the meeting of House Committee on Defence and the chairman sent notices to the minister on May 28, who said after a briefing given to him, it was clear that he could not attend the meeting on a matter relating to the foundation being a private organisation.
Farhatullah Babar and 11 other members wanted to know the reasons why the sugar mill was sold to a party that did not take part in bidding, and ignoring the highest bid of Rs 387 million; it was sold for Rs 300 million instead.
However, the chair said that since the minister did not ignore the notice and sent a letter, explaining his position, therefore there was no question of breach of privilege and their privilege motion could not be entertained.
Earlier, Farhatullah Babar said that he did not want to get engaged in arguments whether or not the Fauji Foundation was a private entity the MD (a three-star general) of which was appointed by the General Headquarters, but insisted that those served notices, should have turned up.
"The rules say that any person can be summoned. There is no mention that a minister, an MD or secretary defence can't be summoned by the House committee," the PPPP member maintained.
On a query by the chair that what could be done if a person does not turn up, the senator said that his summons could be issued and be arrested for the defiance.
A treasury member has already raised the issue of the sale of the sugar mill in the National Assembly.