Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday held a meeting with a delegation of YouTubers to discuss an alleged propaganda campaign against the opposition and journalists critical of the government policies, claimed a journalist in a tweet.

Adeel Raja, an investigative journalist and producer, says the details of the meeting were not made public fearing criticism in the light of the Hazara protests. Raja said that the YouTubers “were tasked to improve the image of the government and target journalists and opposition”.

10 youtubers met with Prime Minister Imran Khan yesterday, were taksed to improve the image of government and target journalists and oppisition. Pictures were withheld to avoid criticism due to Machh Killings.. Expected to be released in a few days.

— Adeel Raja (@adeelraja) January 7, 2021

Geo’s Hamid Mir also tweeted responded to this news, saying he was ready to face the YouTubers’ attacks.

😜we are ready for their attacks https://t.co/q2FCAcMH6z

— Hamid Mir حامد میر (@HamidMirPAK) January 7, 2021

Meanwhile, Punjab CM’s focal person on digital media, Azhar Mashwani, rejected claims made by the journalists. He said it was “not a meeting” but an “interview by digital media publishers and Youtubers”.

🚫⚠️Twisted & Fake News⚠️🚫

It was an interview by Digital Media Publishers & Youtubers not a meeting and it will be released after a few days, as per our past practice.

Why Mainstream Media is too insecure of Digital Media? Apny 10 interviews thek, hamara 1 b bardasht nahi? 🤔 https://t.co/GDejaOczEA

— Azhar Mashwani (@MashwaniAzhar) January 7, 2021

Mashwani’s remarks were also endorsed by PM’s focal person on digital media, Dr Arslan Khalid. Dr Khalid said it was a not meeting, but a question-answer session with the premier. He added that the video of the session will prove the journalist “wrong again”.

Azhar is right here. It was a Q& A session with Digital Publishers/Youtubers & not meeting Adeel. Ur source is wrong and video will prove you wrong again.Very credible names asked Questions. Producer of a Tv talk show shouldn't think low of Digital Media. https://t.co/vkipu33lNC

— Dr Arslan Khalid (@arslankhalid_m) January 7, 2021

The news of the meeting between the PM and social media influencers prompted a response from the senior journalists, including Hamid Mir, who commented that the PM has time to meet with Youtubers and Turkish artists, but he has no time for grieving Hazara people.