Zulfi Bukhari, the most prominent and capable leader of PTI Overseas, declared: “Suhail Warraich is destroyed.”

Against me, a campaign was run by PTI trolls and dollar-earning vloggers, calling me a “tout,” “army agent,” and “bathroom cleaner.” In accordance with journalistic tradition, I did not respond for five days, and I will not respond even now to those who are distorting my forty-year-long journalistic record. Regarding personal allegations, there is no need for any comment or reply. The coming time and the history that will be written shall make everything clear.

Throughout my life, I have avoided quarrels and disputes, and even now, after much thought and reflection, my opinion remains the same.

Mr. Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry holds my personal respect. In personal meetings, he is very pleasant, but the matters he denied were not even mentioned in the said column. Perhaps he misunderstood and thought that I could have some personal benefit from that column? If there is still any question in this regard, I am always available for clarification.

He stated authoritatively that the Field Marshal did not give any interview   please read my column again; nowhere in it is the word “interview” used. The title of my column itself was “The First Meeting”   nothing more, nothing less. I never wrote that it was a one-to-one meeting. The event where 800 people were present   neither there, nor during the dinner conversation with a few people   was anything off the record.

Regarding May 9, Imran Khan, or forgiveness   there was no such discussion at all. This is absolutely correct. Please read that column again   there is not even a passing mention of May 9, Imran Khan, or his forgiveness. I wrote only one sentence   that in reference to political reconciliation, he recited verses from the Qur’an and their translation. Whatever impression people or trolls drew from that is entirely their own choice. In short, the very points that were denied so extensively were never mentioned in the story at all. If someone has something in their own mind, that is their own prerogative.

As the humblest of journalistic workers, it is my belief that journalism and politics are both the offspring of democracy and also its neighbors   but there is no revolving door between their houses; there is a solid wall. This sacred wall cannot be crossed without jumping over it. Unfortunately, political workers have leapt over this wall of journalism and turned its courtyard into a passageway.

As my mentor Nusrat Javed says   “I am by nature a reporter,” and therefore my limits are journalistic ones: I wrote what I heard and saw.

For writing about my first meeting with the Field Marshal, PTI’s ideological leader and my old benefactor Shahbaz Gill, along with the country’s brave hero Faisal Vawda, both came back onto the same page   just as they once shared their love for Imran. Both rejected my column. Revolutionary Hammad Azhar, PML-N supporters, and PPP loyalists   all called me a flatterer and declared Jang and Geo irresponsible.

I confess that all these kind friends’ accusations are one hundred percent true. I am indeed an old, habitual offender. Their united stance against me only proves my wickedness and their righteousness.

I am a humble and modest writer, while my critics are far superior to me in position, rank, and stature. I confess that my sins did not begin today. Now that I have already been declared condemned, sycophant, traitor, tout, and irresponsible   I might as well confess to the rest of my crimes, so that my punishment can be given all at once.

The column about my first meeting with the Field Marshal was not my first offense. In the late 1980s, this humble man published General Zia-ul-Haq’s charge sheet against Muhammad Khan Junejo, in Zia’s own words. The speech was delivered in a seminary in Sheikhupura, and many senior Lahore journalists were present there. They, out of expediency, did not report those sentences that were against the 1985 Assembly  but I did, unintentionally. I should be punished for that too.

Zia-ul-Haq transferred me to Taunsa as a lecturer  that is another story.

When Nawaz Sharif was exiled, even mentioning his name was banned. Yet this sinful journalist was the first to travel to Jeddah and meet him. His interview and story were published in Daily Jang’s magazine. General Musharraf took it very badly   indeed, that was flattery, and I deserve punishment for it too.

When General Musharraf was in power, my book titled “Who Is the Traitor?”   containing Nawaz Sharif’s story in his own words was published. General Musharraf gave an interview against it to Daily Times, but when he was ousted from power, it was this same servant who went to London and conducted his first interview.

Keep in mind   when I interviewed Nawaz Sharif and General Musharraf, both were angry with Jang and Geo   yet those interviews were still published and broadcast.

General Bajwa loved meetings; many journalists must have met him but the first sin of writing about the Bajwa Doctrine was committed by me. On the first day, General Bajwa was pleased with that piece, but a week later became so upset that from that day till now, there has been no meeting between us.

When I wrote “Party Is Over” at the peak of Nawaz Sharif’s power, the Noon League got angry and called it false. When I wrote about Imran Khan’s government, “This company will not run,” PTI became angry. Truly, the sins of this humble man are countless.

Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan’s final interview conducted by me while he sat on a footpath that too deserves punishment now.

As for the Brussels meeting, the discussion about Qur’anic verses, forgiveness, angels, and Satan that was merely a small segment of the Field Marshal’s speech. You may interpret it however you wish that is your choice.

My personal wish is reconciliation and national stability although, from all the information I have received over the past two and a half years, there is no sign whatsoever of reconciliation, forgiveness, or any agreement. Yet, can a sinner not even express his wish?

Negative thinking and negative tactics can never produce anything positive.

Suppose someone disagrees with what I say   does that mean I have no right to speak? Is it not a fascist attitude to suppress others through accusations and threats?

In reality, Vawda, Hammad Azhar, and some YouTubers did not grow up in any political or journalistic nursery nor do they believe in political or journalistic principles. They all are former students of the Military Benefaction School of the past and perhaps they wish to bring that era back.

Those who wrinkle their noses at my column will continue to invent arbitrary interpretations and artificial explanations to serve their own motives and interests. As time moves forward, everyone’s true face will be revealed.

History alone is the instrument that strips false claims, fabricated truths, and baseless accusations bare and history’s verdict shall ultimately favor journalism.