The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) decided on Wednesday to temporarily suspend online game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG).
After two teenagers killed themselves over the online video game, PUBG, Punjab police had decided previously to ban the game, the department announced. On June 23, Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Zulfiqar Hameed had recommended a ban on the online game.
According to media reports, cases of suicide attributed to the game have also been reported. The Lahore High Court has also directed PTA to look into the issue and decide the matter after hearing the complaints. “A hearing will be conducted in this regard on July 9,” it said.
“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,” the regulatory body said in its statement.
It added that the decision came on the back of complaints received from different segments of society as well as media reports claiming “cases of suicide attributed to PUBG game”.
“The Authority also decided to solicit views of the public with reference to the said online game. In this regard public is encouraged to provide feedback through consultation-pubg@pta.gov.pk by July 10, 2020,” the statement read further. The PTA also urged the public to provide their feedback on the online game before July 10 by emailing the authority.
The extremely popular game has over 200 million downloads and is a survival game developed by a South Korean company in which players are dropped onto an island and have to eliminate each other. PlayerUnknown’S Battle Ground (PUBG) ensues a huge gaming community in Pakistan.
