In case you missed out, Imran Khan’s former wife Reham Khan has been in the line of fire of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf supporters for an autobiography she wrote on her life.
Ever since PTI won the majority seats in the 2018 General Elections, Reham Khan has been sharing her views on the matter and recently made an appearance on CNN to discuss the elections, where was interviewed by CNN International reporter, Hannah Vaughan Jones, who later revealed that she received a lot of hate online for this interview.
In a Twitter post, the CNN reporter shared, “Received torrent of abuse for iv with Reham Khan, CNN. For the record, she was invited as she has unique insight into Imran Khan and is engaged, articulate about Pakistan. Shame on those who would silence free speech with hatred & disgusting language.”
Received torrent of abuse for iv w/ @RehamKhan1 @CNNi. For the record, she was invited as she has unique insight into #ImranKhan & is engaged/articulate about #Pakistan. Shame on those who would silence free speech w/hatred & disgusting language https://t.co/weIzF8K2g5
— Hannah Vaughan Jones (@HVaughanJones) July 29, 2018
Apart from sending hate messages, people on Twitter also demanded why Jemima wasn’t invited instead of Reham. To this Jones replied that “My understanding is that we also invited Jemima Khan. She was unavailable.”
My understanding is that we also invited Jemima Khan. She was unavailable.
— Hannah Vaughan Jones (@HVaughanJones) July 29, 2018
However, people continued to hurl abuses and ask why Reham was invited. Jones replied to a few of the Twitter users and schooled them on the concept of democracy.
Because in a democracy, every leader should be able to take criticism, Bay embrace criticism, and respond with constructive debate. Not foul language or the silencing of critics.
— Hannah Vaughan Jones (@HVaughanJones) July 29, 2018
If you watched the interview you would know that I put it to her that she might have an axe to grind. It’s called an interview. The idea is to speak to people on all sides and to respect their right to an opinion
— Hannah Vaughan Jones (@HVaughanJones) July 29, 2018
Shame on you
— Hannah Vaughan Jones (@HVaughanJones) July 29, 2018
Jemima Goldsmith was invited but was unable to accept the invitation
— Hannah Vaughan Jones (@HVaughanJones) July 29, 2018
Unfortunately, this is not the first time that women have been targeted like this. They are often at the receiving end of online abuse and hate.