Sohail Warraich apologizes to politicians, journalists, and establishment in ‘I have no personal ego’

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 25 August 2025 |  JP Staff Report

Sohail Warraich issued a reflective column apologizing to various political figures and journalists amid growing controversy over his writings. He emphasized humility, forgiveness, and the right to journalistic disagreement without personal animosity.

Summary

ISLAMABAD — Senior journalist and columnist Sohail Warraich has issued a reflective column titled “I Have No Personal Ego,” offering apologies to political leaders, colleagues, and even the establishment, in the wake of a growing controversy surrounding his recent writings.

In his piece, Warraich drew on anecdotes from history and literature to underscore humility, forgiveness, and the need for reconciliation. He described himself not as a Nietzschean “Superman” or Allama Iqbal’s “Shaheen,” but simply a journalist of the common people. “I am busy fighting my own mind and ego,” he wrote, emphasizing that he has no personal animosity toward anyone.

The column comes after weeks of heightened debate in political and media circles, where Warraich’s previous commentary had triggered sharp reactions from politicians, party workers, and even fellow journalists. Warraich admitted that “a news-maker himself became the news,” something he regrets.

In his wide-ranging apologies, he mentioned public figures such as Fizza Ali, Hamad Azhar, Faisal Vawda, Shahbaz Gill, members of PTI, and even General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry. He also expressed gratitude toward fellow journalists who disagreed with him but still “remembered him” through their critiques.

Warraich reiterated that he has never engaged in character assassination, unverified corruption allegations, or scandal-mongering in his long career. Instead, he stressed his belief in journalistic decency and pluralism. “Disagreement, and that too with decency, is our right as journalists. If this too is blocked, society will become monochrome,” he warned.

The veteran journalist concluded with an appeal for tolerance, quoting Bulleh Shah: “Do not break anyone’s heart, for God resides within hearts.”