A video circulating on social media shows anchorperson Shahzeb Khanzada being confronted in a public place by a man accusing him of reporting against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi. The video, filmed in what appeared to be a clothing store, shows the man following Khanzada, who seemed to be accompanied by his family, telling him he should be “ashamed” of “what he has done against Imran” and Bushra Bibi. Khanzada did not respond and walked away.
The confrontation came two days after The Economist published an article examining Imran Khan’s marriage to Bushra Bibi and her alleged role in advising him during his tenure as prime minister. PTI dismissed the article as recycled propaganda. Soon after the video emerged, PTI’s Shahbaz Gill shared an old clip of Khanzada’s coverage of the Iddat case filed by Bushra Bibi’s former husband Khawar Maneka, which relates to the timing of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi’s marriage. Gill said, “This is the filth Shahzeb did,” and linked the harassment to what he described as a lack of earlier condemnation from journalists.
Khanzada later responded on X, saying Gill had lied about his reporting. He stated that he had been reporting court proceedings and added that his programme had previously highlighted Shahbaz Gill’s treatment during custody under treason-related charges. Khanzada said that “trolls” did not consider factual information “even if they go in favour of Imran Khan.”
Following the emergence of the video, political leaders, journalists and others expressed criticism of the confrontation. Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said the behaviour reflected a “mob mentality” within PTI and indicated a lack of basic decency. Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar called the incident “highly condemnable” and said the state would seek to identify the man involved. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan termed the incident unfortunate and said he did not approve of such behaviour occurring abroad in the presence of Khanzada’s family.
Sindh Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said disagreements should be expressed within the limits of respect, adding that the incident did not affect Khanzada’s honour. MQM-P Senator Faisal Subzwari said the episode reflected negative trends that had taken root in politics over the past decade.
Journalists also criticised the confrontation. Waseem Abbasi termed it harassment, Ziauddin Yousafzai called it “disgusting and utterly condemnable,” and Asad Ali Toor described it as a “shameful campaign.” Matiullah Jan said political supporters should avoid harassing journalists. Faizan Lakhani said harassment in public spaces was unacceptable, and Asma Shirazi described the incident as targeted harassment.
