Waseem Khattak
Imran Khan was once considered Pakistan’s most popular leader, but today he finds himself in a position of political isolation, facing court cases and a lack of public trust. Now, he has been imprisoned for fourteen years. Many will assign blame, but I hold the individuals around him, particularly the YouTubers who profited from his name, accountable. Much like how brands like “Kaptaan Chappal” and other businesses used Khan’s name for recognition, even opening hotels to cash in on his popularity, political challenges are closely linked to the role of YouTubers and social media influencers. These individuals exploited Khan’s popularity for financial gain, presenting his politics as a “political brand” and capitalizing on his downfall.
These YouTubers sensationalized Khan’s statements and cases, always prioritizing their personal profits over his cause. They misled his supporters with false promises that Khan would soon be freed and solve all the country’s problems. By broadcasting Khan’s political ideas and analyses, these influencers not only boosted their own fame but also increased their earnings. For these YouTubers, Imran Khan became an “ATM machine” they continually used for their income. This trend began when Khan and his party were facing difficulties, and his supporters seized the opportunity to fill their pockets.
Vloggers like Imran Riaz Khan didn’t just use social media to boost their popularity but also to significantly increase their income. Imran Riaz Khan’s YouTube channel garnered almost 500 million views last year, a testament to his ability to influence Pakistan’s political discourse. His popularity made him one of the most-watched political analysts in the country.
Estimations of income from YouTube suggest that vloggers like Imran Riaz Khan earned between 2 to 5 million Pakistani rupees monthly. Their earnings are based on factors such as advertisement revenue, the geographical location of viewers, and the number of views. Channels of political figures like Shahbaz Gill also attract millions of views, though their popularity and earnings are lower than Imran Riaz Khan’s. However, even they capitalized on Khan’s name, selling the “brand” from abroad, particularly from the U.S. Numerous YouTubers made millions in this way.
In addition to these challenges, internal conflicts within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) exacerbated Imran Khan’s difficulties. Several senior leaders, who had worked with him for years, either stayed silent or distanced themselves when it mattered most. Some even went abroad to speak against Khan, and others refused to testify in his favor in court. The question arises, why didn’t Khan’s close allies stand by him in his time of need? Were they just part of the party for their personal interests?
Khan’s legal troubles further complicated his situation. Convictions in cases like the Toshakhana case cast a shadow over his political future. Not a single cabinet member or senior PTI leader came forward to testify in his favor. This situation highlights how Khan had once used the judicial system against his political opponents, only to now face the same system himself.
The silence and lack of support from PTI’s senior leaders further deepened Khan’s troubles. These leaders prioritized maintaining their own political stature over standing by Khan. This demonstrates that even Khan’s close associates were motivated by their own personal interests.
Khan’s opponents’ allegations and cases have only increased the complexity of his situation. Many view this as “reaping what you sow,” where Khan is now experiencing the same challenges he once created for his political adversaries. His policies and decisions have cultivated an antagonistic environment, and today, that very environment is contributing to his downfall. Now, he faces fourteen years in prison.
