ASP Shahrbano Naqvi’s Viral Podcast Clip: Professional Duty or Publicity Stunt?
Punjab Police officer ASP Shahrbano Naqvi, known for her heroic intervention in the Ichhra Bazaar incident last year, has found herself at the center of a social media storm. A two-minute clip from a recent podcast has gone viral, leading to a heated debate over professional ethics and the “TikTok culture” within law enforcement.
The Incident: A Murder Case During a Podcast?
The controversy began when a video surfaced showing ASP Shahrbano mid-interview. In the clip, she receives a call from her SHO, informs the host that a “murder has occurred,” and leaves the set. The screen then transitions to “one hour later,” where she returns to announce that the killer has been caught and the body recovered.
The casual manner in which the grave matter of a homicide was discussed and the speed at which it was reportedly resolved has led many to question the authenticity of the sequence.
Official Responses: “An Old Video”
When contacted regarding the backlash, ASP Shahrbano Naqvi maintained a brief stance, stating that the video is “very old” and that there is “no news here.”
However, the podcast host, Feroze Chaudhary of Voice of Click Me Pakistan, clarified the timeline:
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Recording Date: September 17, 2025.
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Location: Defence B Police Station, Lahore.
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Context: The host claims the officer was genuinely busy and that the mid-interview departure was an act of prioritizing duty over media, not a planned “publicity stunt.”
Public Criticism and Social Media Reaction
Despite the host’s defense, the Pakistani digital community remains divided. Several journalists and social media users have raised concerns about how serious crimes are handled on camera.
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Legal Concerns: Users pointed out that solving a murder case and catching the culprit within a single hour, while maintaining a casual demeanor feels inconsistent with standard judicial and investigative procedures.
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The “TikToker” Era: Some critics sarcastically remarked that the Punjab Police seems more focused on social media optics than departmental protocols.
Punjab Police Social Media Regulations
The incident has brought renewed focus to the Standing Orders issued by IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar. According to current regulations:
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Prior Permission: Police officers are prohibited from sharing personal videos or comments on social media without authorization from the DPO or the dedicated media unit.
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Prohibited Content: Sharing political, religious, or duty-related content on private accounts is a punishable offense under departmental law.
Former IG Arif Nawaz commented on the trend, noting that while the department once encouraged social media use for “image building,” the practice has now reached a point where high-level training is required to ensure officers know what should and should not be said in the public eye.