Pakistan’s Political Landscape Begins to Stir Again, Government’s Influence Shrinking: Sohail Warraich
ISLAMABAD: Renowned columnist and senior journalist Sohail Warraich has described Pakistan’s current political situation as a “game of snakes and ladders,” arguing that while political resistance may appear to have been suppressed through the use of power, history shows that such conditions can eventually produce alternative leadership.
In his latest column, Warraich said the country’s political situation was currently in extremely poor shape and could be described as being at “zero.” He observed that politics, resistance, dissent, political struggle, human rights and judicial intervention appeared to have been reduced to almost nothing, with little sign of democratic relief in sight.
However, Warraich said this was only one side of the picture. Referring to historical developments, he argued that when one group of political actors is suppressed, another often emerges to take its place.
طاقتور مادر ملکہ چیونٹیوں سے اپنی مرضی منوا لے گی، پیپلی چیونٹی اقتدار کے گھونسلے سے نکل بھی گئی تو کئی انصافی چیونٹیاں انکی جگہ لینے کو تیار بیٹھی ہیں، خطرہ اور خدشہ یہ ہے کہ اقتدار کی نونی اور پیپلی جوڑی ٹوٹی تو پھر سب کچھ ہاتھ سےجابھی سکتا ہے، گرفتار کیڑی اور مادر ملکہ میں جو…
— Suhail Warraich (@suhailswarraich) August 30, 2026
He cited the example of Field Marshal Ayub Khan, who had silenced prominent politicians including Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, Feroz Khan Noon and Khuhro through the use of the PRODA law. Yet, he noted, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto subsequently emerged from the same political system and ultimately Ayub Khan was forced to leave power.
Warraich cautioned that those who underestimate seemingly insignificant political forces often forget that even a small force can eventually bring down much larger powers.
The senior analyst further claimed that Pakistan’s political landscape had once again begun to stir, with developments occurring almost daily that suggested the government’s sphere of influence was gradually shrinking.
According to Warraich, the temporary political relief and support the government had received due to Pakistan-India tensions, relations with the United States and its diplomatic role in the Middle East had now largely faded.
He concluded that circumstances were changing rapidly and that Pakistani politics appeared to be approaching a decisive stage, adding that history’s lessons were meant for those willing to understand them before it was too late.
