The clip shows a brief exchange between Bilawal and Marri during a press conference that later went viral on social media.
A day after a clip showing Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s perceived abruptness towards party MNA Shazia Marri went viral on social media, the PPP’s own spokesperson on Friday called it a unique interaction that could not be viewed in isolation.
The PPP chairman gave a press conference after the party’s parliamentary meeting at Parliament House in Islamabad on Thursday. Although the session lasted almost half an hour, the brief exchange, which lasted only a few seconds, attracted a lot of attention online.
The exchange took place during the press conference when a journalist asked Bilawal about comments attributed to federal ministers suggesting that education, health and other issues, particularly the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), be returned to the Center under a proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment.
Several subjects, including education and health, were delegated to the provinces under the 18th Constitutional Amendment of 2010.
In response, Bilawal said he did not know which federal minister the journalist was referring to. At this point, members of the press tried to clarify: one mentioned a state minister and another named the Prime Minister’s aide Rana Sanaullah. However, Shazia intervened to clarify that it was Minister of State for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Kesoo Mal Kheal Das.
After his clarification, Bilawal replied: “I am not asking you.” Marri started to apologize, but Bilawal interrupted her and said, “Thank you. Thank you.”
As the clip circulated widely on social media, several users criticized Bilawal’s behavior, while others said Shazia seemed visibly embarrassed and uncomfortable during the interaction.
He addressed the controversy today in a post on X, defending the party president’s position.
“An interaction that made its way on social media, between people who have worked closely together for many years, cannot be viewed in isolation,” he said.
He added that the PPP had always prioritized the collective good of the people and that nothing should detract from its shared mission of public service.
An interaction that made its way onto social media, between people who have worked closely together for many years, cannot be viewed in isolation. The PPP has always prioritized the collective good of the people and nothing should detract from our joint mission of public service.
– Shazia Atta Marri (@ShaziaAttaMarri) May 15, 2026
