By Qurat ul ain Ali Khawaja
In Pakistan’s fragile political fabric, words are far more than just words; they can build or break. The recent exchange between veteran journalist Suhail Warraich and DG ISPR underscores the delicate balance between free expression and institutional responsibility a balance that can influence the nation’s future. Suhail Warraich, a senior journalist of Pakistan, in his column for Jang, raised questions that touched the most sensitive nerve of Pakistani politics the relationship between the military establishment and civilian leadership. For some, it mirrored public sentiment; for others, a deliberate provocation at a time when the nation is already walking on a tightrope of fragility. The military’s swift and categorical rebuttal was not a mere denial; it was a signal that speculation will not be allowed to dictate the national narrative.
Consistently, in a polarized society, where mistrust already runs deep, the establishment viewed such writings not as harmless commentary but as sparks capable of igniting greater discord. Yet, this episode cannot be divorced from the wider tensions of our time. The military, striving to safeguard its institutional image; Imran Khan and his movement, pressing against the political order while burdened by internal and external pressures; and the weary public, fatigued by economic hardship, terrorism, and uncertainty, but still yearning for clarity and accountability all stand locked in a triangular strain.
Moreover, here, the pen of a journalist carries both immense weight and immense risk. True journalism must rise above provocation. As Edmund Burke wisely noted, “Applause is not the test of truth; no more is ridicule the refutation of error.” The task of a journalist is not to inflame, but to illuminate; not to deepen fractures, but to build bridges of understanding. Warraich’s stature lends weight to his words, but when commentary slips into speculation about national institutions, it risks widening an already fragile divide.Words, after all, are seeds. They can either grow into gardens of peace or into weeds of discord. In today’s Pakistan, every written line carries
Consequences far beyond paper and ink. If journalism abandons responsibility for the allure of provocation, it becomes a weapon of division instead of an instrument of awareness. Conversely, if institutions meet every opinion with defensive rigidity, they risk amplifying suspicions instead of dispelling them. At times, silence and restraint speak louder than an instant rebuttal, and constructive engagement can strengthen credibility rather than diminish it. A free press without responsibility is as perilous as an institution without accountability.
Lastly, Citizens too must shoulder their part of the burden; the demand for transparency and justice is justified, but it must be pursued with maturity and discipline, not in ways that weaken the state itself. Howerver, Pakistan already grapples with terrorism, hybrid warfare, economic fragility, and hostile regional rivalries. In such an environment, mistrust among institutions, leaders, and the public is a luxury the nation cannot afford. The path forward lies in constructive dialogue, responsible journalism, and measured institutional responses. As Allama Iqbal profoundly observed, “Nations are born in the hearts of poets; they prosper and die in the hands of politicians.” Today, in Pakistan’s story, the journalists are the poets, the soldiers are the guardians, and the politicians are the navigators. Their collective duty is not to sow further discord but to steer the ship of the nation towards resilience, reform, and unity.