LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday dismissed a petition seeking a ban on the PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), an online multiplayer “battle royale” game, in Pakistan.
A citizen, Tanveer Sarwar, had filed a petition in Lahore High Court following violent incidents and killings involving youngsters fond of the game. The citizen, in his plea, contended that PUBG was creating intolerance in society, especially among youngsters who are addicted to playing this game.
He maintained that the game was threatening to the life and health of the players and caused an adverse effect on their families as well. The plea sought an immediate ban on the gaming app in order to save the young generation from destruction.
However, the petitioner did not appear in court at today’s hearing. The LHC disposed of the plea over the petitioner’s discontinuation of the case’s pursuit.
Punjab police advise ban on PUBG
Last month, the Punjab Police had also suggested a ban on the online multiplayer game, after a young man shot four of his family members dead in the city’s Khana area, terming it “necessary to prevent violent acts.”
An 18-year-old Ali Zain was addicted to PUBG and shot his mother, sisters and brother imagining that they would be resurrected like in the game, a police official said.
IHC orders govt to restore online game
In 2020, the PTA had announced to suspend the PUBG game by blocking its access in the country after having received multiple complaints from different segments of society.
However, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) ordered the government to lift the ban on the online game just hours after the PTA’s announcement to keep the game on the block list.
