Shazia Marri downplays Bilawal’s snub after video goes viral

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) MNA Shazia Marri on Friday said that a single interaction between individuals who have worked closely for years “cannot be viewed in isolation”, after a video clip of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s curt response to her went viral on social media.

“One interaction that made its way on social media, between people who have worked closely together for many years, cannot be viewed in isolation. PPP has always prioritised the collective good of the people and nothing should take away from our joint mission of public service,” Marri said in a post on X.

One interaction that made its way on social media, between people who have worked closely together for many years, cannot be viewed in isolation. PPP has always prioritised the collective good of the people and nothing should take away from our joint mission of public service. https://t.co/ZsS4VesiQ9

— Shazia Atta Marri (@ShaziaAttaMarri) May 15, 2026

The incident took place during a press conference following the PPP parliamentary party meeting at the Parliament House in Islamabad on Thursday.

During the briefing, a journalist asked Bilawal for his comments on reports that federal ministers had suggested devolving education, health and other subjects — including the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) — back to the Centre under a proposed 28th constitutional amendment.

Several subjects, including education and health, were devolved to the provinces under the 18th Constitutional Amendment in 2010.

Bilawal began his response by saying he was not aware which federal minister the question referred to. At that point, Marri interjected, clarifying that it was Minister of State for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Kesoo Mal Kheal Das.

Following her clarification, Bilawal responded, “I am not asking you.”

Marri immediately apologised, but Bilawal interjected again, saying, “Thank you.”

A video clip of the exchange later circulated widely on social media, prompting discussion and criticism.

Digital rights activist Usama Khilji said the episode sent a “poor message” and called for an apology from Bilawal.

For a hardworking, senior & one of the few directly elected women politicians in the parliament to be spoken to with such condescending misogyny publicly is not a good message from the party that gave the Muslim world its first woman Prime Minister. @BBhuttoZardari must apologise https://t.co/eJvTPMvk6F

— Usama Khilji (@UsamaKhilji) May 15, 2026

Imtiaz Gul, executive director of the Centre for Research and Security Studies, described it as an “embarrassing moment” for Marri and said Bilawal’s response reflected “wadera arrogance.”

Quite an embarrassing moment for a senior leader like @ShaziaAttaMarri and an extremely poor reflection on @BBhuttoZardari who showed the wadera arrogance by giving her a shut up call https://t.co/6FOTb0o6VF

— Imtiaz Gul (@ImtiazGul60) May 14, 2026