ISLAMABAD: After the dark days of Pakistan’s 2012 YouTube ban, a number of Pakistanis took to the video platform and have found themselves recipients of the highly sought after ‘golden play button,’ the crowning glory of any YouTube influencer. The shiny play icon means their channel has hit the coveted mark of 1 million subscribers.
These are some of the Pakistani YouTubers who have been ordained with the golden button:
Shoaib Akhtar: fastest to Gold Play
“Rawalpindi Express” Shoaib Akhtar, whose fame began as one of the fastest bowlers on the cricket pitch and who retired from the sport back in 2011, launched his channel just four months ago and has become the fastest Pakistani YouTube account to reach 1 million subscribers. Akhtar’s account has video logs of his everyday life and of course, a ton of cricket commentary and content. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeWqACGRU5gT0BXeFhrixWA
Kitchen with Amna: recipes and more
“Kitchen with Amna” was the second account out of Pakistan to be granted golden button status. Amna’s channel, which she launched in 2016, has grown to over 2.2 million subscribers and is a delicious treat for the eyes and the mouth! Amna shares videos of her kitchen concoctions, including both new and classic, recognizable recipes which routinely hit views in the hundreds of thousands. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ2P7C8UGoVM6AhqsVx-M0Q
Nadir Ali, P for Pakao: Pakistan’s favorite prankster
Before Amna, Nadir Ali of the YouTube Channel “P for Pakao” was awarded the golden play button. Ali’s account, which he launched three years ago, has amassed 2.5 million subscribers, with a large fan base in neighboring India as well. “P for Pakao” is a classic YouTube channel format where Ali and friends share prank videos, daily vlogs and their excursions. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI9tIvSPsdxNEICjZk7ujUA
Food Fusion: cooking made easy
Launched in 2016, “Food Fusion” which has over 1.5 million followers on YouTube, is a channel sharing the love of cooking. Touted as Pakistan’s first ever ‘digital food portal,’ the creators of the channel, Asad Memon and Saima Asad, create simple, colorful videos where the cooks themselves are not seen: Only their hands are visible when cooking and plating delectable dishes. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuqBZWK9Wrol_4Y22DzisFQ
Tariq Jamil Official: much-loved Islamic scholar and televangelist
Maulana Tariq Jamil, a religious writer and televangelist, now has 2.1 million subscribers to his YouTube Channel, ‘Tariq Jamil Official.’ His followers tune in for sermons on Islam, special transmissions in Ramadan and lessons with an Islamic based approach. Jamil joined YouTube in 2017. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCct5L-DaVYK8UtmqGU8gJtw
Memoona Muslima: beauty tips and home remedies
Memoona Muslima joined YouTube three years ago and has racked up a following of 1.6 million people. The beauty vlogger shares tips and tricks for natural and other beauty remedies for hair, skin and makeup. Additionally, she uploads videos including shopping hauls and interesting do-it-yourself projects. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCImwHhOJFGuWknG0zqlzSzw
