Two of Pakistan’s youngest and most popular YouTubers, Muhammad Shiraz and his sister Muskan, have channelled their online success into building a better future for their community. Using their social media earnings and support from generous benefactors, the siblings have transformed the crumbling old school of their village Ghursay in Gilgit-Baltistan into a modern educational facility. The story has captured national attention as an example of how digital platforms can be used to drive positive change in rural communities.
Shiraz’s father, Muhammad Taqi, first drew attention to the dire state of Ghursay’s school through a YouTube video showing children studying outdoors without uniforms, shoes, or basic facilities. While the family considered moving to Islamabad for better living conditions, Taqi said they chose to remain in their village to work for its improvement. “Ghursay is far in Gilgit-Baltistan, and there are very few basic facilities,” he explained, adding that the family saw Shiraz’s fame as a chance to give back rather than relocate. This decision laid the foundation for a transformation that has taken more than a year and a half to achieve.
Hailing from a village of around 2,000 people at the foothills of Siachen, Shiraz rose to prominence through vlogs capturing local culture, festivals, and everyday life. Muskan’s cheerful appearances added to the channel’s popularity, which has brought viewers worldwide. According to Taqi, the family invested Shiraz and Muskan’s earnings but credits benefactors Fauzia Zaki and her niece Zehra Zaidi for making the project possible. “We needed the surrounding land, which had to be bought, and it is very cold, so doing work during the cold is always difficult. Construction of the school and buying the land, it’s been one and a half, two years of work,” Taqi said. “Fauzia Baji got involved and then took it upon herself to invest and open this school.”
The new facility, named Zaki Academy after Fauzia’s father and maternal grandfather, Captain Mohammed Zaki, now offers spacious classrooms, modern educational facilities, recreational areas, and a safe learning environment. Beyond education, Fauzia and Zehra have helped fund a rudimentary dam, install pumps for clean drinking water, add solar panels, and set up a basic health support system with an ambulance and medical supplies. What began as a tribute to Captain Zaki has grown into a legacy of community service.
Challenges remain, particularly around flood protection. When Shiraz met Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in May last year, Taqi requested a proper dam to safeguard the village from flooding. “When we met the PM, we asked him this: that if you are happy with the child’s content, then please work to keep the village safe from floods,” Taqi said. The government has yet to provide a permanent solution, and villagers have built a temporary dam ahead of this year’s flood season. In a recent video, Shiraz urged fellow content creators to use their platforms for public good. “Whichever field you work in, keep your intention clean. Allah will make you successful. But always keep it in your mind that you have to make things easier and better for others, even in small ways,” he said. Online, the family’s initiative has drawn widespread praise, with many calling them a beacon of hope for rural Pakistan.
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