Elections are due in Pakistan in two weeks but for now, many people across the border do not seem to be excessively focussed on manifestoes or campaign rallies. Instead, a tell-all biography by Reham Khan, journalist and former wife of Pakistani cricketer-turned-politician, Imran Khan, has seems to have taken the country by storm. The book, claims the description on Amazon, “touches on sensitive issues, both political and social, and the author has had to resist extreme bullying, harassment and life-threatening situations to bring it to you”.
The self-titled book, released Thursday, comes at a crucial juncture fo the 65-year-old Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Imran Khan, who hopes to become prime minister after the election.
In the book, though, his former wife has described Imran Khan as a man who headed “a bizarre life” of “sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll”. The book also claims that the former cricketing star has admitted to having “some” illegitimate children.
Reham Khan says that she would invoke Narenda Modi’s journey for her husband when hespoke about how he wanted to lead Pakistan. “I would gently and repeatedly give the example of Modi, the Indian Prime Minister, who was Chief Minister of Gujarat for a decade, and then elected to the top job because his seemingly strong governance record, despite all the other negative baggage,” she wrote.
All this this was fodder for social media. Some users have mocked the book for its vivid details and other personal anecdotes.
Imran Khan has five illegitimate children, some of them Indian: @RehamKhan1 says in her "book." #Pakistan #India #GeneralElections2018 #Elections2018 https://t.co/O53eicYXp9 pic.twitter.com/4NLb5ouTa3
— Mehreen Zahra-Malik (@mehreenzahra) July 12, 2018
Will Reham Khan’s book dent IK close to polls? Or it lost its gust already. Whatever-it’s juicy. IK’s Indian kids?? Hahaha
— Amir Mateen (@AmirMateen2) July 12, 2018
Just finished reading Reham Khan’s book. It was beautiful. According to her, Imran Khan is the first man in history to be honest with his wife about all of his past affairs and illegitimate children. That’s exactly the kind of honesty Pakistan needs in a leader.
— Jeremy Khan McLellan (@JeremyMcLellan) July 12, 2018
going by @RehamKhan1 book if IK becomes PM he will be the first one to put through rehab after coming to power
— Ayesha Siddiqa (@iamthedrifter) July 12, 2018
If Reham Khan is to be believed, IK would probably win his seat if all his illegitimate children voted for him.
— Azam Jamil (@AzamJamil53) July 12, 2018
Reham Khan’s new book is out and a lot of people are asking me if it’s true. I can’t lie anymore. It’s true. Imran Khan is my father.
— Jeremy Khan McLellan (@JeremyMcLellan) July 12, 2018
1- How others see Imran Khan
— . (@iPakiLad) July 12, 2018
2- How @RehamKhan1 sees Imran Khan#RehamKhanAutobiography pic.twitter.com/JPGKr0GV83
Dear Sir I don't know why you are not reading the book I've published
— Reham Khan (@RehamKhan1) July 12, 2018
Its 563 pages not 365 pages.
You are clearly reading an edited pirated version. Please pay for the original book with your rather hefty salary. https://t.co/X6M5QDZ8mj
Some users criticised the biography as being “vile”, “worthless” and “pornographic”. Another user claimed that Reham Khan had “destroyed reputations” by writing about others’ “sex lives”.
I haven't read Reham Khan's pornographic book; nor am I interested. This is worthless book. Not a single credible publisher was ready to publish it.
— Anwar Lodhi (@AnwarLodhi) July 12, 2018
When you start reading @RehamKhan1's book. pic.twitter.com/5XjbjbZLhg
— Farhan. (@neonzenon) July 13, 2018
Don't care what she wrote about Imran, but Reham Khan has destroyed the reputations of at least 20 non-public figures by needlessly gossiping about their sex lives. A vile book.
— Nadir Hassan (@Nadir_Hassan) July 12, 2018
Other than the criticism, there were also some who praised Reham Khan for her work and “courage” she showed by writing this book.
From what I have read of @RehamKhan1 ‘s book so far, I am only in awe of her courage and send wishes of strength and support her way. She tells what she heard and saw and I am sure is fully aware of the consequences xx
— Mahwash Ikhlaq (@mahwash26) July 12, 2018
Striking opening, shocked, an opening which may crush your heart if you could swap your shoes to her.#RehamKhan
— مُصحفِی (@shahzadakhtar00) July 12, 2018
First 10 pages of @RehamKhan1 book and can easily conclude, she was a pure soul trapped by @ImranKhanPTI a devil aspiring to be a PM, who cannot keep his own personal secret, will be a security threat to state secrets, a purposed book @Xadeejournalist @FarazAhmedJan @PTIofficial
— Arshad Jan (@Arshad1964) July 13, 2018