ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Central Information Secretary Shireen Mazari on Monday hit back at critics who she said trolled her over her daughter's decision to vote for rival PML-N in today's local body election.

Mazari took to Twitter to defend herself and her daughter, after the two faced criticism on micro-blogging website Twitter. The uproar followed her daughter Iman Hazir's tweet announcing her vote in favour of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz.

The PTI information secretary said her association with PTI does not obligate her family to vote for the parry and added that "democracy means free choice".

Mazari's tweet came soon after her daughter said she had voted "minorities and PML-N".

This is not the first time Ms Hazir has faced abuse on social media. Earlier this month she had tweeted in favour of National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq of the PML-N.

A few hours later she had posted the following tweet.

Hazir went on to say that she has been critical of the PML-N but was never abused by party supporters. She added that PML-N supporters have not abused her mother, who belongs to rival PTI, either.