By A. Waseem Khattak
Our respected journalism mentors, Dr. Faizullah Jan and Dr. Irfan Ashraf, have started a remarkable series called Frontier Podcast, which truly deserves appreciation. These podcasts discuss subjects that most people hesitate to even think about. In a recent episode, Dr. Faizullah Jan and Dr. Syed Irfan Ashraf had a conversation that raised many important questions. They spoke openly about the ongoing tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the media’s attitude, and the everyday struggles of people living in those border regions.
Dr. Faizullah Jan remarked that the talks taking place in Doha were proudly labeled by the media as “peace negotiations.” But if one looks closely, there is no trace of the common people in this so-called peace. On one side, smiling faces appear on television screens; on the other, dozens of laborers at Torkham and Chaman borders lose their livelihoods daily. This contrast loudly declares that what’s being called “peace” is merely a new political game.
Dr. Irfan Ashraf expressed a simple yet profound thought: “This war is no longer fought with guns, but with hunger.” He was referring to the thousands of laborers, shopkeepers, and street vendors whose survival depends on whether the border opens or closes. Today, neither goods are arriving nor people crossing. Markets are deserted, children are dropping out of school, and stoves at home have gone cold.
Throughout their discussion, one theme kept reappearing — the silence of the media. The Pakistani media, which creates uproar over every minor political statement, remains quiet about the sufferings of these regions. According to Dr. Faizullah Jan, the media no longer reports news; it sells narratives — and those narratives always serve the powerful. Whether it’s war or peace, the common man is always missing from the story.
People in Pashtun areas have been living under fear, uncertainty, and economic pressure for years. They want peace — but not the kind that exists only in official files. They seek a peace that can be felt in their daily lives: where a father doesn’t fear sending his child to school, and a laborer doesn’t go to bed hungry because the border is closed.
As the conversation ended, Dr. Faizullah Jan said, “If we don’t tell our own story, others will tell it for us — and they’ll shape it to serve their own interests.” That line hit hard. Perhaps this is the real problem: we have allowed others to narrate our land, our identity, and our pain.
Amid the noise of media, politics, and power, the voice that’s least heard is that of the ordinary person — the one who works day and night but whose pain never makes it into a news package. Maybe it’s time we start listening to those silent faces, seeing their struggles, and treating their suffering as more than just numbers.
Peace doesn’t come through agreements alone. It comes when people feel safe — and heard. And if the media truly fulfills its role, perhaps one day we’ll be able to say with honesty:
“This time, peace belongs to everyone.”
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