Shahzeb Khanzada confronted in public, politicians, journalists condemn incident
This still from a social media video shows anchor Shahzeb Khanzada being confronted — Photo via X
Anchorperson Shahzeb Khanzada was confronted in public by a man accusing him of reporting against PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi, a video circulating on social media shows. Khanzada, accompanied by his family, did not engage and walked away.
Several political figures and journalists condemned the incident. Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb described the confrontation as unacceptable, while PPP leader and Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah urged that disagreements be expressed respectfully. MQM-P Senator Faisal Subzwari also criticised the incident.
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The incident occurred two days after The Economist published a piece examining Imran Khan’s marriage to Bushra Bibi and her role in his decision-making during his tenure as prime minister, which the party dismissed as recycled propaganda posing as foreign commentary.
Many social media users expressed support for Khanzada, describing the incident as unacceptable.
Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb criticised the behaviour, saying it reflected a “mob mentality” within PTI. She added that such actions showed a lack of basic decency and civility, and amounted to intimidation rather than political expression.
Shameful harassment of @shazbkhanzdaGEO and his wife yet another filthy reminder of the mob mentality Imran Khan has carefully bred within PTI. This crowd does not lack manners, they were never taught dignity, decency or basic humanity. Their entire existence feeds on…
Journalists, including Waseem Abbasi, Ziauddin Yousafzai, Asad Ali Toor, Matiullah Jan, Zahid Gishkori, Faizan Lakhani, and Asma Shirazi, expressed concern over the harassment, calling it inappropriate and unacceptable.
The Pakistan Daily founder, Hamza Azhar Salam, noted that PTI had not pursued a defamation case against Khanzada and that the confrontation occurred in public.
PTI hasn't taken @shazbkhanzdaGEO to court for defamation because it knows they will be taken to the cleaners -- Instead, PTI workers unleashed to harass Pakistan's most credible journalist in front of his family -- We stand by Khanzada and condemn this campaign of harassment. https://t.co/IoarXobEAX pic.twitter.com/otojyX2Jha
Khanzada responded on X, defending his reporting on the Iddat case and noting that his coverage had also highlighted Shahbaz Gill’s detention under treason-related laws.
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“This is disgusting and utterly condemnable,” said Ziauddin Yousafzai, the father of Nobel Laureate Malala Yousufzai.
This is disgusting and utterly condemnable. Bullying someone in a public space is a shameful act of harassment. Shahzeb Khanzada is an honourable man and an outstanding journalist.
This incident exposes the ugly face and behaviour of an intolerant cult. Much respect for… https://t.co/rwPDfEgPJU“Khanzada is an honourable man and an outstanding journalist. This incident exposes the ugly face and behaviour of an intolerant cult,” he said.