A British magazine article about the wife of former Prime Minister and PTI founder Imran Khan has sparked widespread debate across Pakistan. PTI supporters have taken a defensive stance, while government allies have used the piece to launch sharp criticism on social media.
The controversy has grown to the point where senior journalists and analysts are also weighing in, either defending or mocking the article.
Veteran journalist Irshad Bhatti, in a post on X, targeted the article’s authors Owen Bennett and Bushra Taskeen with biting sarcasm. He suggested that instead of serious reporting, they appear more interested in digging into the private lives of couples and trivial personal details.
Bhatti wrote that if anyone wants to know about the marital relations of relatives, or who buys goat or cow meat for specific rituals, or which spiritual healer provides charms, or even where chilies are purchased for incense, they should contact the magazine’s writers.
His satirical remarks quickly fueled further debate online. Some users labeled him a staunch PTI supporter, while others accused him of adding fuel to the fire in an already heated discussion.
The exchange reflects how the article has become a flashpoint in Pakistan’s political and media circles, intensifying the divide between PTI loyalists and government supporters.