Podcast Clip of ASP Shehrbano Naqvi Goes Viral, Sparks Debate on Police Conduct

Lahore:A video clip from a recent podcast featuring Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shehrbano Naqvi has gone viral on social media, triggering widespread debate and criticism over professional conduct and on-duty protocols.

In the viral clip, ASP Shehrbano Naqvi is seen speaking during the podcast when she receives a phone call from a station house officer (SHO). She asks the host to wait, stating that a murder incident has occurred and that she needs to leave immediately. Nearly an hour later, she returns to the podcast, where she confirms that a murder had taken place and shares details of the incident.

According to ASP Shehrbano, the murder occurred in Defence Phase 8, where a man allegedly killed his friend over a monetary dispute after planning the crime. She said the suspect also took the victim’s family hostage. When relatives failed to receive responses to phone calls, they entered the house by climbing over a wall and found the homeowner with her hands tied, who signaled toward the suspect inside the house.

The relatives alerted the police, who broke into the house and arrested the suspect red-handed. ASP Shehrbano stated that the accused was holding a young girl hostage at gunpoint, while the victim’s body was later recovered from the drawing room.

The clip has drawn mixed but largely critical reactions online. Journalist Shama Junejo questioned the appropriateness of a serving police officer appearing on a podcast and returning shortly after a murder case, smiling while describing the incident. Several social media users raised doubts about whether an FIR, arrest, and investigation details could realistically be completed within an hour.

Senator Rubina Khalid also questioned the authenticity of the video, asking whether it was real. Some users suggested it appeared more like a dramatized scene than a real-life incident. Senator Aun Abbas Bappi criticized what he termed “theatrical behavior” within state institutions, while others questioned whether ASP Shehrbano Naqvi was participating in the podcast while officially on duty.

The incident has sparked a broader discussion on social media regarding professionalism, media exposure of serving officers, and the balance between official duties and public appearances. No official response has yet been issued by the police department.