Afghan media group condemns arrests and expulsion in Islamabad Internet shutdowns choke reporting from Iran protests Hong Kong court weighs sentencing in Jimmy Lai security case UNESCO warns South Korea's fake news law risks press freedom Turkey honors journalists on Working Journalists’ Day Pakistan journalists face deepening welfare crisis, PFUJ-Workers warns Independent U.S. journalists reshape news ecosystem Venezuelan editors in exile join forces to report crisis RSF launches Iran media help desk for journalists Iran communications blackout deepens media repression, RSF warns Afghan media group condemns arrests and expulsion in Islamabad Internet shutdowns choke reporting from Iran protests Hong Kong court weighs sentencing in Jimmy Lai security case UNESCO warns South Korea's fake news law risks press freedom Turkey honors journalists on Working Journalists’ Day Pakistan journalists face deepening welfare crisis, PFUJ-Workers warns Independent U.S. journalists reshape news ecosystem Venezuelan editors in exile join forces to report crisis RSF launches Iran media help desk for journalists Iran communications blackout deepens media repression, RSF warns
Logo
Janu
Pranks and newsroom tales

Abusing me on social media won't change international opinion: Hussain Haqqani

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 22 December 2018

Join our WhatsApp channel

Abusing me on social media won't change international opinion: Hussain Haqqani
Hussain Haqqani has criticized the backlash he faces on social media, highlighting that constructive discourse is necessary to influence international opinions. He recently launched his book 'Reimagining Pakistan' amidst protests.

Former diplomat and writer, Husain Haqqani, has blasted Pakistanis who continue to abuse him on social media and call him a 'traitor.'

In a video tweet, Haqqani said: "I am being abused on local television, Twitter and other social media sites. I am also called a 'traitor'. Do such kind of things change international opinions? People read books and articles. They listen to speeches. Such way opinions are changed. You must also read books, reply arguments with arguments, write articles in reply to articles. By abusing, you will only get appraised by your own people and not by people in Washington."

Haqqani, who is currently serving as the Director for South and Central Asia at the Hudson Institute, launched his book titled 'Reimagining Pakistan: Transforming a Dysfunctional Nuclear State' in Washington DC during the Saath Conference, 2018 on December 17.

During the launch, a few Pakistanis protested outside the venue and also tried to interrupt the event.

Haqqani tweeted a picture of the protesters and said, "A big thank you to @PTIofficial for organizing a demo against #SaathConference2018, thereby proving that even a few dissidents can scare #Pakistan's military-backed ruling party. Weak foundation?"

Haqqani remained Pakistan's ambassador to the United States from 2008 to 2011. He is a critic of Pakistan's policies.

He has written several books including 'Pakistan: Between Mosque & Military' and 'Magnificent Delusions.' - Agencies/Photo: YouTube

KEY POINTS:

  • Hussain Haqqani addresses online abuse calling him a 'traitor'.
  • He emphasizes the need for informed debate over social media attacks.
  • Haqqani launched his book 'Reimagining Pakistan' in Washington D.C.
  • Protests occurred during the book launch, showcasing dissent.
  • He served as Pakistan's ambassador to the U.S. from 2008 to 2011.

Read Next

Newsroom
Afghan media group condemns arrests and expulsion in Islamabad

Afghan media group condemns arrests and expulsion in Islamabad

 January 12, 2026 AMSO condemned arrests and the deportation of Afghan journalists by Pakistani police in Islamabad, calling the actions illegal and a threat to press freedom.


Internet shutdowns choke reporting from Iran protests

Internet shutdowns choke reporting from Iran protests

 January 12, 2026 Internet shutdowns and network throttling in Iran are crippling journalists and media, impeding reporting, verification and sharing of protest information.


Hong Kong court weighs sentencing in Jimmy Lai security case

Hong Kong court weighs sentencing in Jimmy Lai security case

 January 12, 2026 High Court hearings began to sentence Jimmy Lai and co-defendants convicted under Hong Kong's national security law, with potential life terms and implications for press freedom.


UNESCO warns South Korea's fake news law risks press freedom

UNESCO warns South Korea's fake news law risks press freedom

 January 12, 2026 UNESCO warns South Korea's new 'fake news' law uses vague definitions and broad enforcement powers that could erode press freedom and spur self-censorship.


Turkey honors journalists on Working Journalists' Day

Turkey honors journalists on Working Journalists' Day

 January 11, 2026 Turkey observed Working Journalists' Day on Jan. 10 with official tributes, praising reporters' work and press freedom amid concerns over media restrictions.


Popular Stories