Politicians and journalists came to the defense of anchor Shahzeb Khanzada after videos emerged on social media of him being accosted in public by a man who accused him of acting against PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi, it emerged on Monday.
The video, which has been circulating on social media since Sunday night, shows a man following Khanzada into what appeared to be a clothing store. In the video, the man told the journalist that he should be “ashamed” of “what he has done against Imran” and his wife. For his part, Khanzada, who appeared to be present with his family, did not speak to the man and walked away.
While the man did not give an explanation for the allegations he was leveling against the journalist, PTI’s Shahbaz Gill shared on his show an old clip of Khanzada talking about the Iddat case, filed against Bushra Bibi and Imran by her ex-husband Khawar Maneka. The case concerns the marriage of Imran and Bushra Bibi during the latter’s Iddat period.
“This is the filth that Shahzeb did,” he said. He added that if the condemnation had come from the media community, then the situation would not have reached this point, in apparent reference to the harassment of the journalist.
The incident occurred two days later The economist published an article covering Imran’s marriage to Bushra Bibi and his alleged role and degree of influence in her decision-making during his tenure as prime minister, which the party has called recycled propaganda disguised as foreign commentary.
Many on social media came to Khanzada’s defense and called the incident “reprehensible”.
Punjab Chief Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said the incident was “another dirty reminder of the mafia mentality that Imran Khan has carefully bred within the PTI.”
“This crowd does not [have] good manners, they were never taught dignity, decency or basic humanity. Their entire existence is fueled by confrontation, chaos and intimidation. This is not politics, it is gross thuggery disguised as activism. “They know that they will only be able to survive when society is overthrown,” said the minister.
PPP leader and Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said he strongly condemned the incident.
“You can certainly disagree, but do so within the limits of decency and respect. Your actions have not affected the honor of Shahzeb Khanzada, but rather [of] those who taught them this behavior,” he said.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) senator Faisal Subzwari said the incident was “another glimpse into the filth that had taken root in politics over the past decade.”
“When national leaders praise the abuse brigade and give bad names to everyone except their own kind, then these regrettable traditions take root,” he said.
Journalist Waseem Abbasi called the incident harassment and added that it was not “a crusade.”
“This is disgusting and absolutely condemnable,” said Ziauddin Yousafzai, father of Nobel laureate Malala Yousufzai.
“Khanzada is an honorable man and an outstanding journalist. This incident exposes the ugly face and behavior of an intolerant sect,” he said.
Journalist Asad Ali Toor called the incident a “shameful campaign” against Khanzada.
“I still maintain that Shahzeb in that interview completely exposed Khawar Maneka that his ‘Iddat’ case is a politically motivated case and that he is just a disgusting representative,” he said, adding that the PTI should thank him, instead of harassing him.
Journalist Matiullah Jan said Imran’s supporters should know that harassing a journalist in this way in the presence of his family is condemnable.
“There are hundreds of civilized ways to protest. Shahzeb Khanzada has left the government and his ministers speechless on many occasions,” he said.
Journalist Zahid Gishkori, who previously worked with Khanzada, said it was “extremely painful to see a strange man” harassing the latter and his family, adding that he supported the journalist during this difficult time.
“This is unacceptable and absolutely shameful. Harassing someone in a public place is not freedom of expression, it is intimidation and bullying,” said sports journalist Faizan Lakhani.
“Shahzeb Khanzada is a respected and credible journalist and this behavior towards him is shameful. This incident exposes the true face of an intolerant society,” he said.
“I strongly condemn the worst kind of fascism and the targeted harassment being inflicted on Shahzeb Khanzada by the zombies of a political party,” said journalist Asma Shirazi.
Pakistani newspaper Founder Hamza Azhar Salam said the PTI had not taken Khanzada to court for defamation because “it knows they will be taken to the cleaners”.
“Instead, PTI workers set out to harass Pakistan’s most credible journalist in front of his family. We support Khanzada and condemn this campaign of harassment,” he said.
Meanwhile, Khanzada hit back at PTI leader Gill in X, accusing him of lying.
“This is classic Shahbaz Gill. When he was a minister, he was caught lying several times and here he lies again,” he said, adding that he was responsible for reporting on court proceedings.
“These trolls don’t really care about the facts, even if they favor Imran Khan,” he said.
“We not only exposed the Iddat case but also spoke on behalf of Shahbaz Gill, condemning his torture in custody and the use of the outdated treason law against him even as his own party and its leaders refused to speak for him,” he said.
The PTI founder and his wife, both currently detained, were found guilty by an Islamabad court in the Iddat case and sentenced to seven years in jail each on February 3, 2024, five days before the general elections.
In July of the same year they were acquitted of the case but arrested on charges related to the sale of state gifts.
