‘Dang Stick Being Wielded for Reset Plan,’ Warns Journalist Suhail Warraich
ISLAMABAD – Renowned journalist and columnist Suhail Warraich has expressed deep concerns over the creation of new provinces, political tensions, and the relationship between the current government and the establishment, warning that the situation has become highly tense and is approaching the point where the “Dang stick” (a metaphor for confrontation) may be brought out.
In his latest column, Warraich wrote that conditions are moving toward confrontation, and those in power — the influential quarters — are indifferent to any potential losses. He quoted an aide of the powers-that-be as saying that sacrificing 100 to 150 lives is “no big deal” for the betterment of the system.
“It seems as though the Dang has been applied — meaning complete preparation for battle, and through this, there is an intent to straighten everyone out. On the other side, the opposition and dissenters (the oppressed) are also ready to receive the blows,” he wrote.
Warraich questioned the thinking of legislating through referendums instead of the assemblies formed under elections held in 2024. He argued that this proves these assemblies are not being recognized as representatives of the people.
سیاست میں سب سے برا حال آج کے اہل اقتدار کا ہے آئے دن ان کی ’’ منجی ٹھوکی‘‘ جارہی ہے مگروہ اتنے بے بس اور لاچار نظر آرہے ہیں کہ ’’ ٹھوکے‘‘ جانے کے باوجود اونچی آواز میں رو بھی نہیں پارہے صاف لگ رہا ہے کہ وہ اپنے آنسو چھپا رہے ہیں عام رواج تو یہی ہے کہ صرف اپوزیشن کی منجی ٹھکتی…
— Suhail Warraich (@suhailswarraich) September 8, 2026
“If this principle is accepted, then before every constitutional amendment, a referendum should be held across the country and then passed through the assemblies,” he said.
He observed that this time, a strange ritual is underway where both the opposition and those in power are continuously being “thumped on the back” (Manji Thoki), yet they are so helpless that they cannot even cry out loud.
Warraich further wrote that for the establishment or those in power, there is no distinction between friend or foe, ally or opponent — only their own agenda matters. In this “reset plan,” if allies suffer collateral damage, those in power do not care.
“The illusion that the Prime Minister’s 18-hour workday will fix the system is now fading. The fear is that while trying to repair the system’s framework, these inexperienced political carpenters might end up overturning the entire bed (system) itself. If the system is overturned, the biggest loss in this game will be to the establishment itself,” he concluded.
