KEY POINTS
- Muhammad Shiraz used earnings from his popular YouTube channel to rebuild his village’s rundown school into a modern learning centre
- Young vloggers Shiraz and Muskan’s story shows how even the smallest voices from remote places can create powerful social change through digital platforms
ISLAMABAD: In the rugged beauty of Pakistan’s Gilgit Baltistan (GB) province, a six-year-old boy Muhammad Shiraz is rewriting the story of what social media can achieve. Known to thousands worldwide as the cheerful face behind “Shirazi Village Vlogs,” Shiraz and his sister Muskan, guided by their father behind the camera, have captured the simple joys and harsh realities of life in their remote village.
What began as playful glimpses into daily life soon blossomed into a national sensation, enchanting viewers with Shiraz’s innocent charm and heartfelt storytelling.
Muhammad Shiraz, known as the youngest Pakistani vlogger from Gilgit-Baltistan, has used the earnings from his popular social media and YouTube channel "Shirazi Village Vlogs" to upgrade his village's school.
The school, which was previously deteriorating with poor facilities… pic.twitter.com/qnBJwOYJZ6
— Fatima habib (@faty_345) September 19, 2025
But Shiraz’s story goes far beyond just videos and views. When a video showing their village’s dilapidated school, where children studied under the open sky, sitting on bare steps without desks, chairs, or even basic facilities, went viral, the young YouTuber decided to act.
Many students lacked uniforms, shoes, and protection from the biting cold, making education a daily struggle rather than a joy.
Using the income from their popular YouTube channel, Shiraz and his family took on a noble mission: to transform that bleak school into a modern, welcoming place of learning.
Today, due to their efforts, the village boasts a brand-new school with spacious classrooms, proper furniture, quality educational resources, and safe recreational areas, creating an environment where children can learn with dignity and hope.
The new school has even attracted foreign tourists, impressed by the scale and care invested in this rural project. For Shiraz and his peers, this is more than just a building; it’s a gateway to a brighter future, a place where dreams can take root and grow.
In a digital world often flooded with fleeting trends and clickbait, Shirazi Village Vlogs stands out as a beacon of positive change. With nothing but a camera, a smile, and an unshakeable sense of purpose, young Shiraz has shown the world how to turn clicks into classrooms and views into visions.
His story is a powerful reminder: even the smallest voices from the most distant corners can spark waves of transformation that reach far beyond what anyone imagined.
Who are Shiraz and Muskan?
Shiraz and Muskan come from Ghursay, a small village of around 2,000 people near the Siachen foothills. Shiraz gained worldwide fame through his vlogs that showcase village life, from rocky streets to local festivals, while Muskan’s joyful appearances helped the channel grow even more. Their father, Taqi, said they aim to share positive stories and cultural pride.
The siblings used their earnings to help rebuild their village school, but Taqi credits benefactors Fauzia Zaki and her niece Zehra Zaidi for making the transformation possible.
Over nearly two years, they secured land and managed construction despite the harsh cold, resulting in the new Zaki Academy, which now offers modern classrooms, recreational areas, and a safe place to learn.
“Our school was in desperate need of help. The children didn’t even have a safe space to learn. That’s when two caring overseas Pakistanis, Fauzia Zaki and her niece Zehra Zaidi, came to the rescue. In tribute to their father and maternal grandfather, Capt. Mohammed Zaki, they didn’t just repair the old school, they created a whole new one from the ground up,” Shiraz shared proudly.
Beyond the school, Fauzia and Zehra have also funded a dam, clean water pumps, solar panels, and a basic health system with an ambulance, honouring Fauzia’s late father’s dream of serving the community.
Though progress has been made, the village still faces challenges like flooding. When Shiraz met Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Taqi requested a permanent dam, which has yet to be built. The villagers have created a temporary dam for now, but long-term solutions are needed.
In a recent video, Shiraz encouraged other creators to use their platforms responsibly to help others, a message his father supports, reminding content creators to be mindful of the millions who watch them. Their efforts have won widespread praise on social media as a shining example of hope and positive change.
