Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party spokesperson Firdous Ashiq Awan claimed that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government had used public funds worth Rs870 million to run social media campaigns against state institutions.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore on Wednesday, Awan said that funds provided by the Asian Development Bank in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were used by the PTI to satisfy Imran Khan’s wish to become a ‘top trend’ on social media.

Awan said that 800 accounts were created to run marketing campaigns and trends against state institutions to promote ‘idol worship’ of the PTI chairman. She added that each activist was paid 30,000 to 40,000.

She added that information gained by investigating social media activists had revealed that the campaigns could be traced back to Bani Gala and Zaman Park, the two residences belonging to Khan.

Awan added that the social media campaigns were used to brainwash the party’s followers and it was the same mindset that had led to the events of May 9, when army installations had been attacked and martyr monuments defaced.

She said that the information about the misuse of funds and the people involved in them was being made public and demanded action against those behind them.

Awan also thanked the caretaker government in KP for invesitgating the matter and bringing the facts to light.