ISPR slams Sohail Warraich: Fake news scandal rocks media!

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published 3 months ago |  JP Staff Report

ISLAMABAD — Just days after urging jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan to reconcile with the establishment in exchange for his freedom, senior columnist Sohail Warraich has landed in controversy after the military’s media wing accused him of fabricating a story.

At a press conference on Thursday, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Warraich falsely claimed that Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir discussed Khan during a recent event in Brussels.

“In Brussels, the army chief made no mention of PTI founder,” Gen. Chaudhry stated. “Sohail Warraich made up the story for personal gain. He attended the event along with hundreds of others, where the army chief spoke.”

He further said that Warraich’s organization, Jang-Geo, should have acted more responsibly before publishing such claims.

The episode has ignited debate within Pakistan’s media community. Journalist Saddia Mazhar, writing on Facebook, said: “The journalist whom the press fraternity elevated to the pinnacle of journalism now faces a lesson of his own. The important point is that this also concerns the credibility of Jang and Sohail Warraich. The question is: does the PECA Act also apply to him, or is it enforced only on ordinary people?”

Warraich had recently published two columns about Imran Khan’s imprisonment. In his latest, titled Musafir banam qaidi number 804, he warned Khan that defying reconciliation with the establishment could endanger his life. Drawing a historical parallel, he cited former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who initially rose with military backing but was later deposed and executed.

In an earlier piece, Warraich claimed to have met Army Chief Gen. Munir for two hours, suggesting Khan could win release through a “sincere apology.”

The ISPR chief reiterated that the military’s stance on the May 9 riots remains unchanged, stressing that “every character involved would have to be answerable.” Asked if action would be taken against Jang-Geo for publishing Warraich’s story, Gen. Chaudhry replied only that “news organizations should act responsibly.”

The backlash to his column has been fierce. Journalist Shahid Aslam wrote on X: “It is a matter of deep regret that a senior journalist would pen such a column.” Fakhar ur Rehman declared that “the day this country is rid of Heera Mandi-style journalists and journalism will mark a new dawn.” Senior analyst Imtiaz Alam accused Warraich of “advancing authoritarian narratives.”