Junaid Akram apologises for making "paid video" of CM Maryam's 100-day performance in Punjab

Renowned YouTuber Junaid Akram has apologised to his fans for creating a paid video praising Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's 100-day performance in Punjab, following intense criticism from the public.

Earlier, several celebrities, including Saba Faisal, Ayesha Omer, Zhalay Sarhadi, Sanam Saeed, Saboor Aly, Mikaal Zulfiqar, Yasir Hussain, Areeba Habib, and others had shared videos appreciating the PML-N government's initiatives.

But, the campaign was met with widespread disapproval on social media. Many accused the celebrities of promoting a "paid campaign".

Public figures like biker Abrar Hassan and actor Bilal Qureshi also claimed that they were approached to make praising videos but they declined the offer.

Following the backlash, the well-known content creator made another video to apologise to the masses for making the video without understanding the "climate of the country".

کمپین گلے پڑ گئی، جنید اکرم نے معافی مانگتے ہوئے کہا ہے میں درجہ حرارت نہیں پڑھ پایا، عوام مہنگائی سے بہت پریشان ہے، معذرت چاہتا ہوں۔۔۔!!!pic.twitter.com/KsgV3hjMDs

— Mughees Ali (@mugheesali81) July 12, 2024

"Firstly, it was my mistake I forgot to add the disclaimer that it was a paid promotion and for that, I apologise to my fans... Secondly, it was my mistake to make a lazy video. I should have gone to at least five cities out of the ten mentioned by me in the video to make a public opinion video and tell the government that's what people think."

"In my opinion, the biggest mistake I committed was that I should have overviewed the climate of the country [before making the content]... People are frustrated over inflation, exorbitant electricity bills, increasing taxes, hot weather, [and] unemployment and I made a video to give you good news. I assessed the situation wrong that I could not feel the temperature," he added.

Reportedly, he also announced to donate the amount received from the paid video to his library project.

As per unconfirmed reports, the influencer lost around 100,000 subscribers on YouTube after making the video.