A video showing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Shafiullah Jan appealing to YouTubers for financial contributions to the September 27 protest has sparked controversy and triggered a fresh political debate in Pakistan.
In the video, Shafiullah Jan openly appeals to social media activists, particularly overseas-based “Youthia YouTubers” who earn substantial amounts of money in Imran Khan’s name. He urges them to contribute a portion of their earnings to the party to help finance the march scheduled for September 27, which has been organised to demand Imran Khan’s release.
Addressing overseas-based social media activists, Shafi Jan said that the time had come for them to donate a share of the wealth they had accumulated by using Imran Khan’s name to support the party.
He specifically called on them to send funds to support the September 27 protest march. The circulation of this video has intensified allegations that overseas YouTubers are generating significant profits through political content associated with Imran Khan and using those earnings to support political activities in Pakistan.
Following Shafiullah Jan’s appeal, questions have emerged in political and public circles about whether earnings generated by overseas-based social media activists are being used to finance protests and political agitation within Pakistan.
Critics argue that the incident indicates that the PTI remains committed to confrontational street politics and has not abandoned what they describe as an “anti-state agenda.” They further allege that the party is being financially supported through dollar-based contributions from overseas social media activists.
It is worth noting that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has called for a major protest and march on September 27. In the past, the party has also faced allegations relating to foreign funding and campaigns against national institutions.
Social media accounts operated from abroad have long been active in promoting political narratives concerning Pakistan, with some reportedly generating substantial revenues through views, advertising, and platform monetisation.