Pakistani celebrities Urwa Hocane, Saba Faisal, Mikaal Zulfiqar, Srha Asgr, and many more have come under fire for posting paid content on their social media platforms praising the 100-day performance of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. The move has sparked outrage among social media users, who have accused the celebrities of engaging in “paid propaganda” to support the ruling party.

Maryam Nawaz, the daughter of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, was appointed as the Chief Minister of Punjab province in February 2024. Since then, she has faced criticism for her handling of various issues, including the recent ban on social media platforms in the province.

The backlash against the celebrities began after Urwa Hocane posted a glowing review of Maryam Nawaz’s performance on her Instagram account. In the post, Hocane praised the Chief Minister’s “100-day performance” and expressed her admiration for her leadership. However, the post was quickly met with a barrage of comments from users accusing Hocane of being part of a “paid propaganda” campaign.

Other celebrities, such as Sanam Saeed and Ayesha Omar, have also faced similar criticism for posting content that appears to be sponsored or paid for by the government. The comments on these posts have been overwhelmingly negative, with users accusing the celebrities of “selling their souls” and “betraying the people” for the sake of financial gain.

The controversy has highlighted the growing concern over the influence of social media influencers and the potential for abuse of their platforms. Many users have called for greater transparency and accountability in the endorsement of political figures and policies, particularly in the context of a highly polarized political landscape.

The Punjab government’s decision to ban social media platforms during the Muharram period has also been a source of controversy, with critics arguing that the move is an attempt to suppress dissent and limit free speech. The celebrities’ endorsements of the Chief Minister’s actions have only served to further inflame the situation, with many users accusing them of being complicit in the government’s efforts to curtail civil liberties.

As the backlash continues to grow, it remains to be seen whether the celebrities involved will address the concerns raised by their followers or whether the controversy will continue to simmer in the weeks and months ahead.