Well-known TikToker Kanwal Aftab is facing criticism for providing advice on how to tolerate an abusive husband while responding to questions from her Instagram followers. Reham Khan, the ex-wife of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, is among those who have expressed annoyance about the TikToker’s stance.
Reham, who has personally experienced two bitter divorces and is now married for the third time, voiced concerns about Kunwal’s views and offered some advice of her own.
Kunwal, who has 3 million followers on Instagram, advised women to endure abusive husbands. In response to a question about whether a woman should divorce her husband if he is extremely violent and unemployed, Kunwal wrote, “Try to support him and help him improve, divorce is not an option.”
Sharing a screenshot of Kunwal’s response, Reham stated that she likes this TikToker duo (referring to Kunwal and Zulqarnain), but this is an example of women not supporting other women.
Reham explained her position through several points, stating that divorce is a solution to protect oneself from physical and mental abuse. She emphasized that it is not possible to live with someone abusive, regardless of their employment status, and encouraged women to leave such situations.
Reham made it clear that abusers should not be encouraged to change their behavior and that supporting any abuser is not acceptable.
She also advised Kunwal not to discourage women from making their lives better and safer.
In a tweet, Reham wished Kunwal and Zulqarnain well and suggested that they should use their popularity to convey the right message to the people of Pakistan.
In response to a user’s question about whether Reham’s actions could worsen the situation and be seen as defamatory in the South Asian region, Reham wrote in the context of her first marriage, “I didn’t get divorced for years because I was told to. However, after the divorce I had no problem. After both divorces I have always been more financially stable and happy. Even after the first divorce I had better and more proposals for marriage and after the second divorce I got a husband who I really like. So this stigma can be fought and defeated.”
It’s worth noting that Reham Khan, a former TV anchor, met Imran Khan during the Tehreek-e-Insaf sit-in in 2014. Their marriage was announced in January 2015 but ended in October of the same year. Reham’s first marriage was to Dr. Ijaz, a London-based individual.
Reham Khan married for the third time in January 2023 to model Mirza Bilal Baig, who is 13 years younger than her.
Other users also criticized TikToker for advising women to endure spousal violence, questioning her understanding of domestic violence. Some even raised concerns about her mental health.
Kanwal Aftab and fellow TikToker Chaudhry Zulqarnain got married in January 2022, and they welcomed a daughter in December 2022.
