The controversy began after the publication of Warraich’s column in Jang on August 16, in which he recounted an interaction with the army chief during a stopover in Brussels. “On a question about politics, he (the army chief) said that political reconciliation is possible only if there is a sincere apology,” the column stated. ISPR Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry also stressed that the army chief had not given any interview, describing the journalist’s report as inappropriate. He acknowledged that the ISPR chief was correct in stating that no interview took place. Warraich further stated that his article did not contain any reference to May 9 or to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf founder Imran Khan.