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

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 22 December 2018

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.

Summary

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