War of Words- A Tale of Debate and Dialogue in Pakistan

There are battles fought with swords, some fight with latest weaponries, some fought with wealth, and battles fought with sheer power ending in blood, screams and scars for centuries. Yet! the greatest battles of human history are fought on the “Podium” with words, words that pierce through your heart and take you to the incident where you feel, see and notice it happening and would just come on the seat in the competition like a telepathic journey in minutes.

From the philosophical stone yards of ancient Greece to the traditionally carpeted sittings in old Persia, to the argumentative era of Spain to the mediocre school in Karachi, debate and dialogue has been the reason to bring Peace, resolving conflicts, end wars and discovering truth in the World, making it a liveable place for all.

On a rainy evening in Karachi at a coaching centre famous as “Shaheed e Millat” the students gathered near a lamp with nearly dilapidated, some with small candles, the note books are open, pencils in the hand, eagerly waiting to listen and question, but eyes filled with determination and dreams to be a writer, politician, novelist, engineer, doctor, teacher, journalist or a diplomat for Pakistan. What was uniting them all so sit together and share was not the dreams but the common objective of Debate and Dialogue.

These were the students of Debate.

Ancient Journey of Debate:

The story of debate begins from the ancient times.

In ancient Greece, philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle transformed questioning into an art spread among people gradually. Socrates challenged his students not by giving answers but by asking questioning. His methods, now known as the Socratic Method, encouraged critical thinking, intellectual and factual honesty.

The democratic assemblies of Athens relied on public speaking and debate. Citizens argued policies, challenged leaders, and defended ideas before their fellow citizens. The Greeks believed that truth emerged not from silence but from thoughtful dialogue among the people leaving the marks for a civilized society.

There came a time when civilizations expanded eastward, the tradition of debate flourished in Persia and later Iran. The intellectual centres of Nishapur, Isfahan, Shiraz, and other great cities became homes to scholars who debated philosophy, science, theology, mathematics, and governance.

Thinkers such as Avicenna (Ibn Sina), Al-Farabi, and Nasir al-Din al-Tusi engaged in rigorous intellectual discourse. Their debates helped preserve and expand knowledge that later influenced Europe during the Renaissance.

Throughout history, whenever societies encouraged dialogue, they progressed. Whenever they suppressed discussion, stagnation followed for decades.

Why Debate and Dialogue matter?

Debate and Dialogue at the same time bring progress in the society while producing brains with critical thinking, reasoning and logic as well. Debates give a way to open society where parliament to a clerk is answerable for the authoritative responsibility and duties, Once the citizens are aware of the rights, laws and ethical code then comes a time of progress. Debater nurtures student to speak and discuss with elders, seniors, teachers and aged people as well. These sharing of thoughts and facts develop a society where Karokari, Rape and Crime is less. Debate and dialogue matters because new innovation, inventions and strategies are formed by debate and dialogue among peers.

Tradition in Karachi Circuit:

Among Karachi’s many educational and intellectual traditions, debate has played a remarkable role in shaping generations of leaders. For decades, passionate teachers and mentors dedicated themselves to training young minds, often without seeking recognition or reward. They believed that every student carried gigantic potential waiting to be discovered through speech, knowledge, and disciplined critical thinking.

Two institutions became symbols of this mission during 80’s and 90’s era.

One was the renowned Free Coaching Centre in Golimar, near pak colony, a huge number of speakers were born under these floors of wisdom and knowledge.

The other was a respected debate and educational platform in Nazimabad that continued the same tradition of nurturing young talent and developing future leaders.

Within these classrooms, students did not simply memorize speeches.

They learned how to think, Question with analysis and at the same time transfer of wisdom and knowledge.

Night Before the Competition:

The atmosphere before a debate competition was unlike anything else. The classroom lights remained on long after sunset. Books were scattered across tables. Newspapers were marked with red circles and handwritten notes. Students stood before mirrors rehearsing arguments. Others challenged each other’s positions relentlessly. “Your evidence is weak.” “Your conclusion needs support.” “What if the opposition asks this question?” The room would erupt into passionate exchanges. Some students paced across the floor. Some revised speeches repeatedly. Some spoke so passionately that their voices grew hoarse. Victory was never guaranteed. Preparation was everything. The desire to win was not driven by trophies alone. It was driven by the dream of representing their institution, their city, and ultimately their country.

Generational Rise among Debaters

The generation after Sir Idrees Ghazi, Sir Mehmood Ghaznavi could be proud of the then newly joined speakers emerged from Amir Liaquat, Agha Abdul Sattar to Abid Ali Khan all representing Pakistan at the top level with Pride and Courage to speak the truth and present Pakistan’s ideology with dialogue, promoting peace and harmony shaping the portray of Pakistan as a progressive Nation. Who could have imagined after these names that Faisal Karim, Raheel Akhtar and S.M Ali Mustafa would emerge on the International level from Malaysian Parliamentary Debate Judgments to Youth Envoy at United Nations. All these speakers have their own struggle stories from starving to win and reaching a debate destination on foot. The debate fraternity is itself a tale to be shared and discuss in podcasts, maybe never ending stories of laughter and struggle. Today we have internet and bulk of knowledge to choose from but previously there was only books, novels and teachers. The Debater and Dialogue promoting societies now are self evidence of their own philosophy when a Madarsa/Imam Bargah student wins a gold medal at Sir Syed College, Pashtun speaker is applauded at Jinnah College stage and a Mentor is called to be a Adjudicator at “British Classic Debates” in UK.

Beyond Winning an Experience:

Years later, many of these students/debaters now sit in government offices, television studios, hospitals, engineering firms, universities, international organizations, and community institutions. Some contribute to the development of Karachi. Some would serve Pakistan nationally. Some would represent their country on global platforms, including engagements connected to international organizations and diplomatic forums. Yet whenever they reflected on their journey, many would remember a simple classroom. A podium. A stopwatch. A trembling first speech. A mentor’s encouragement. And the moment they discovered the power of their own voice. Where a debate loving mentor would come from office at night and start discussing with students till dawn and half hour of sleep, again the same routine, with this passion and love for debates and dialogue the society emerges as a peaceful place.

Debaters can relate to the joy of saying the famous movie dialogue “3 Idiots”

He is delivering it!

But words are mine.

This could have happened a million times in any speakers life.

Birth of New Social Dynamics

From Rome to Persian Empire and now to the streets of Karachi, one things was common when the dialogue and debate took place among the different segments of society its reaches a change phenomena refers as Frozen, Unfreeze and Re-Freeze. Frozen are those old concepts which are discussed and cross checked under facts and present ground realities after which the societal phenomena changes to Unfrozen state of a new idea, question or a philosophical view point and then its Re-Freeze. The whole concept is to not letting the human brain stagnant, it is never evident for a new concept to be the most Truthful, Where as philosophers agree that Truth is not all that is to be achieved, it is more critical thinking and analysis for a progressed and developed Nation.

Note: Tribute to all the mentors, teachers who day in and out have been spreading positivity and peace through debate & dialogue while giving valuable time maybe the best asset of human life.