Sohail Warraich defends his journalism and clarifies controversial column

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

ISLAMABAD—Veteran journalist Sohail Warraich has strongly responded to an online campaign led by PTI trolls and vloggers, in which he was labeled a “tout,” “army agent,” and “bathroom cleaner.” Warraich said he has chosen not to reply to personal attacks despite his 40-year career in journalism being questioned.

“I have never responded to personal allegations, nor do I intend to. Time and history will make everything clear,” Warraich stated on X, adding that journalism and politics are “neighbors of democracy,” but must remain separate.

The controversy emerged after Warraich published a column titled “Pehli Mulakat” (First Meeting), which described an encounter with Field Marshal Asim Munir at a public event. He emphasized that it was not an interview, as alleged, and that there was no mention of May 9, Imran Khan, or any apology in his writing.

Warraich clarified that certain statements, including Quranic verses cited in the speech, were taken out of context and misinterpreted by critics. He stressed that many of the points denied by political figures were never even written in his column.

Reflecting on his career, Warraich said he has long been accused of being “biased” by different political camps — from General Zia to Nawaz Sharif, General Musharraf, and Imran Khan. He admitted that all parties at one time or another had been displeased with his reporting.

“I confess I am guilty of many such ‘crimes’ — publishing Zia’s remarks against Junejo, interviewing Nawaz Sharif in exile, writing about Musharraf and later General Bajwa. All sides have branded me a flatterer, a traitor, or irresponsible. If this is my sin, I accept it,” he wrote.

He further added that politics and journalism must never be merged through a “revolving door,” warning against attempts by political actors and YouTubers to distort journalism.

“History is the only true judge. It will expose false claims, fabricated truths, and baseless allegations. In the end, journalism will stand vindicated,” Warraich concluded.

Photo: X (@suhailswarraich)