Shahzeb Khanzada faces lawsuit threat in Canada over video

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published 3 weeks ago |  JP Staff Report

Shahid Bhatti has threatened to sue Shahzeb Khanzada and his wife in Canada, alleging their actions endangered him. The controversy has drawn reactions from Pakistani journalists and politicians.

Summary

ISLAMABAD — Shahid Bhatti (pictured), the man who filmed Shahzeb Khanzada, has announced plans to file a lawsuit against the anchor and his wife in Canada. He alleges they endangered his life by sharing his pictures and videos with authorities in Pakistan.

Allegations Against Khanzada and His Wife

In an interview with Dr Moeed Pirzada, Bhatti claimed Khanzada and his wife disclosed his identity. He said, “I posted the video two days after the incident. They provided my pictures to the information minister. They have endangered my life and my family’s life.” He added that Khanzada’s wife is a Canadian citizen and cannot legally share such information under Canadian law. Bhatti stated he would pursue legal action if anything happened to him.

Pakistan’s Minister for Information, Attaullah Tarar, has said legal action will be taken against Bhatti, describing him as a member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. Journalists and politicians in Pakistan have condemned Bhatti’s video, saying it is not an acceptable way to express disagreement with the media.

Bhatti, who has lived in Canada for two decades, dismissed any threats of action against him in Pakistan. He said, “My parents have passed away, and I have been living in Canada for the last 20 years.” When asked about a police report in Canada, he said his lawyer confirmed that making a video of Shahzeb does not violate Canadian law.

Response and Legal Stand

Addressing allegations of harassment, Bhatti said, “If I had stalked Shahzeb and his wife, it would have been harassment. If they want to take me to court, I will face them there.” He also claimed Khanzada and his wife are responsible for abusive videos circulated online targeting him.

Regarding the incident itself, Bhatti said his wife approached Shahzeb in a store, and he had no prior interaction with the anchor or his wife. He expressed anger over a TV program on the former first lady’s menstruation cycle, claiming it would not have aired in Canada or the U.S. without consequences.

Khanzada has said he was simply reporting on a petition filed by the former husband of Bushra Bibi. Bhatti clarified that he is not a member of PTI but a supporter of the former prime minister.

KEY POINTS:

• Shahid Bhatti threatens to sue Shahzeb Khanzada and his wife in Canada
• Bhatti alleges his personal information was shared, endangering him and his family
• Information Minister Tarar announces legal action against Bhatti in Pakistan
• Bhatti claims he has not violated Canadian law and denies being a PTI member
• The incident sparked debate over press freedom, harassment, and media accountability