A wave of support emerged for journalist Shahzeb Khanzada after a video surfaced showing him being accosted in a public clothing store by a man accusing him of speaking against PTI founder Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi. The clip, widely circulated on social media, shows Khanzada walking away without engaging, while the man repeatedly confronts him in front of his family.
PTI’s Shahbaz Gill later shared an old video of Khanzada discussing the Iddat case filed against Bushra Bibi, calling his reporting “filth”. Many journalists argued that if media condemnation against harassment had been stronger earlier, incidents like this would have been avoided.
The incident comes shortly after The Economist published an article on Bushra Bibi’s influence during Imran’s tenure, which PTI dismissed as recycled propaganda.
Prominent politicians strongly condemned the harassment. Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb blamed the mob mentality created within PTI, calling the act “filthy” and “devoid of humanity”. PPP’s Nasir Hussain Shah urged disagreement to remain within the limits of respect, while MQM-P Senator Faisal Subzwari warned that such behaviour is rooted in years of political toxicity.
Journalists including Waseem Abbasi, Ziauddin Yousafzai, Asad Toor, Matiullah Jan, Zahid Gishkori, Faizan Lakhani, and Asma Shirazi condemned the incident as harassment, intimidation, and an attack on press freedom.
Khanzada later responded, accusing Gill of lying and stressing that he merely reported court proceedings. He reminded critics that he had also condemned Gill’s custodial torture and misuse of treason laws.
The episode highlights the growing hostility faced by journalists in Pakistan and raises concerns about public safety, freedom of expression, and political intolerance.
