Pakistan Bans Online Game PUBG Temporarily
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) suspended PUBG (PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds), which is a popular online game that millions play. PTA banned the game after receiving complains from different segments of society.
An authority from PTA said, “The PTA has received numerous complaints against PUBG wherein it is stated that the game is addictive, wastage of time and poses serious negative impact on physical and psychological health of the children. Honourable Lahore High Court has also directed PTA to look into the issue and decide the matter after hearing the complainants. In this regard, a hearing is being conducted on 9th of July 2020. In this regard public is encouraged to provide feedback through consultation-pubg@pta.gov.pk by July 10, 2020”.
A 10th grader in Lahore’s Gulshan-e-Abbas Phase-II committed suicide. He was found hanging in his room. The police found a smartphone beside the body with the PUBG app running. The boy’s parents also said that they had told their son to stop playing the game.
The ban on PUBG was ordered after this incident, as a letter was written to Punjab inspector general of police that sought a ban.
The letter was written by SSP Liaquat Ali Malik on the instruction of CCPO Zulfiqar Hameed. The letter said that PUBG has devastating effects on the youth’s mental health, and two scuicide incidents have already been reported.
The letter stated that violence triggers aggressive behavior as they become more addicted to the game. The CCPO said that the game should be banned and something of a campaign must be started to raise awareness about this.
