Punjab Chief Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb calls attack on Khanzada a reflection of mob mentality
This image from a social media video shows presenter Shahzeb Khanzada being confronted — Photo via
Anchor Shahzeb Khanzada was publicly confronted by a man accusing him of exposing PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi, a video circulating on social media. Khanzada, accompanied by his family, did not engage and walked away.
Several politicians and journalists condemned the incident. Punjab Chief Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb called the confrontation unacceptable, while PPP leader and Sindh Power Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah urged that disagreements be expressed respectfully. MQM-P senator Faisal Subzwari also criticized the incident.
Read: Imran called 9 for “illegal sale of gifts”
The incident occurred two days later The economist published an article examining Imran Khan’s marriage to Bushra Bibi and its role in his decision-making during his tenure as prime minister, which the party termed as recycled propaganda masquerading as foreign commentary.
Many social media users expressed support for Khanzada, calling the incident unacceptable.
Punjab Chief Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb criticized the behavior, saying it reflected a “mob mentality” within the PTI. She added that such acts demonstrated a lack of decency and basic civility and constituted more intimidation than political expression.
Shameful harassment of @shazbkhanzdaGEO and his wife, yet another dirty reminder of the mob mentality that Imran Khan has carefully bred within the PTI. This crowd is not lacking in good manners, they have never been taught dignity, decency or the basics of humanity. Their entire existence is nourished by…
–Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) November 17, 2025
Journalists including Waseem Abbasi, Ziauddin Yousafzai, Asad Ali Toor, Matiullah Jan, Zahid Gishkori, Faizan Lakhani and Asma Shirazi have expressed concern over the harassment, calling it inappropriate and unacceptable.
Pakistan Daily founder Hamza Azhar Salam noted that the PTI had not initiated defamation proceedings against Khanzada and that the confrontation took place in public.
Khanzada responded on X, defending his reporting on the Iddat case and noting that his reporting had also highlighted the detention of Shahbaz Gill under treason laws.
Learn more: Prime Minister denounces violence against journalists
“It’s disgusting and totally reprehensible,” said Ziauddin Yousafzai, the father of Nobel laureate Malala Yousufzai.
This is disgusting and totally reprehensible. Intimidating someone in a public space is a shameful act of harassment. Shahzeb Khanzada is an honorable man and an exceptional journalist.
This incident reveals the ugly face and behavior of an intolerant sect. Much respect for…
– Ziauddin Yousafzai (@ZiauddinY) November 16, 2025
“Khanzada is an honorable man and an exceptional journalist. This incident reveals the ugly face and behavior of an intolerant sect,” he said.
