Pakistan (un)bans PUBG [Update #23]

[The Viper]

LAHORE: DIG Operations Lahore Ashfaq Ahmed Khan has been relieved after the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) banned the Player Unknown’s Battlefields (PUBG) game on his recommendation, saying that he would support a permanent ban on other 'violence-based online games' and websites as well in the future.

Khan had raised the issue and directed concerned police officials to make consultations and officially coordinate with the PTA and other departments concerned to ban PUBG, citing the reason that the youth's future was being ruined.

He had written a letter to the CCPO Lahore on June 26 in which he informed that the divisional SPs had reported two incidents of suicide committed by young boys in North Cantt and Hanjarwal police limits respectively in the month of June.

Talking to The News, DIG Ashfaq Khan said he and his higher-ups were consistently in contact with the PTA, FIA and other departments to permanently ban PUBG as well as other violence-based online games and websites in near future.

He said that it was an alarming situation that required thorough research, analysis and affirmative action by the PTA regulatory body concerned and matter should be brought into the notice of FIA Cyber Crime Wing.

He said the game had a tendency to trigger aggressive thoughts causing violent behaviour, addiction to complete the mission causing pain, agony and anxiety resulting in depression and stress. The players of this game ended up becoming less socially active sitting up for long hours causing disruption in sleep pattern resulting in deterioration of physical and mental health.

PUBG temporarily banned in Pakistan
The PTA temporarily banned the PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), an online battle game, for being "addictive" and detrimental to players' health, a notification issued Wednesday read.

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," the regulatory body had 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".

"Honorable 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," it added.

"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.

Teenagers dying by suicide
The News had earlier reported that a 22-year-old youth in Quetta died by suicide after missing a task in PUBG. The young boy was depressed over a love affair and missing a task in the online game, police said.

Two youths have already committed suicide over the game over the past two weeks.

The police chief of Lahore had requested Punjab Inspector-General of Police Shoaib Dastagir to ban PUBG following a 16-year-old's death by suicide in Lahore’s Hanjarwal area after the teen missed a mission assigned in the game.

A letter sent by Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Zulfiqar Hameed to IG Punjab read: “PUBG is an online multiplayer game that has gained immense popularity among young people. The game has influenced the young people and changed their behaviour.”

PUBG 'under scrutiny'
Last month, local media had reported that a teenager reportedly died by suicide in Lahore's Hanjarwal neighbourhood after he "missed his mission" assigned in PUBG.

Top police officials had said the young boy "took the extreme step for not completing his task while playing the online game", a local media outlet had said. It quoted the superintendent of police (SP) for operations in Lahore's Saddar, Ghazanfar Syed, as saying: “We found his mobile phone on the bed with the PUBG game on at that time near his body."

“It was purely a case of addiction as the boy used to play PUBG game for many hours a day,” the police officer had explained. “The PUBG has been under scrutiny for being a violent game and due to this, many countries are thinking of banning it."

Prior to that, a 20-year-old had also died by suicide the same month in Lahore's Saddar Bazaar area. The young man's parents had stopped him from playing the online game, police had said.

https://www.geo.tv/latest/296061-la...ban-on-pubg-other-violence-based-online-games

 

[MenInG]

Don't think any game can beat the level of violence that exists in our society!

 

[Giannis]

Pakistani/Desi culture is basically Boomer culture, they love making dictatorial kneejerk decisions like this.

 

[Abdullah719]

Meanwhile across the border...

Punjab Teen Reportedly Spent Rs. 16 Lakhs From Parents’ Bank Accounts on PUBG Mobile

PUBG Mobile has remained a popular game during the global pandemic and it further managed to see steady growth in its revenues, according to Sensor Tower analysis. However, the battle royale game from Tencent Games has also received flak from different corners for its "addictive" gameplay that has taken its users to the extremes. A new report on Thursday claimed that a teenager from Punjab spent Rs. 16 lakhs from his parents' accounts to make in-app purchases. It was added that the 17-year-old from Kharar spent his father's life's savings kept for medical expenses.

Citing the teen's parents, a report by Tribune India has claimed that the teenager had access to three bank accounts that he used to upgrade his PUBG Mobile account. The teenager reportedly made in-app purchases for his teammates as well. The report adds that the family came to learn about this from their bank statements.

It is said that the father of the minor is a government employee and has a medical history. The father, who did not wish to be named, told Tribune India that 17-year-old lived with his mother, while he was posted elsewhere. "He used her [mother's] mobile phone to make all transactions and would delete the message regarding amount debited from the account," the father added.

The report further claims that the parents thought the 17-year-old was excessively using the smartphone "for online study." Following the incident, the teenager is made to work in a repair shop, to avoid spending more time on PUBG Mobile. "I just can't let him sit idle at home and cannot give him a mobile phone even for studying," the father told the daily.

There have been several incidents in the past where violence was reported allegedly due to "PUBG addiction." Gadgets 360 last year spoke to people across Delhi where many indicated that it's unfair to call out the platform for violence-related incidence, though cautioning that a one should regularly check the time spent on the app.

Meanwhile, a report by Sensor Tower has highlighted that PUBG Mobile from Tencent saw over $226 million (roughly Rs. 1,668 crores) user spending in May. The platform has seen a massive global revenue gain in the first half of this year, bringing its lifetime collections to $3 billion (roughly Rs. 22,457 crores).

https://gadgets.ndtv.com/games/news...pp-purchases-ammunition-tencent-games-2256671

 

[Halaribo]

LOL.

This is being said in a country where jahil paindoos that have no comprehension of the internet or pubg will lynch or stone a person to death based on rumours and the local pleb maulvi.

It could be argued that the Qur'an is 100% more effective at facilitating violent behaviour in the Pakistani population than any game.

Obviously, I don't believe the Qur'an evokes any such sentiment. However, the logic could be applied in the same way.

 

[SensiblePakFan]

idiots.

 

[sindhiboy]

I don't think this is bad. The youth is just wasting their time on smartphones. The country needs to be built and the youth, from the poor working class to the elite, is wasting time on useless apps.

I would say ban Facebook and tik tok as well, they are on these apps until 5 Am every day, destroying their brains.

(BTW, I'm one of these youth)

 

[King-Misbah]

I don't think this is bad. The youth is just wasting their time on smartphones. The country needs to be built and the youth, from the poor working class to the elite, is wasting time on useless apps.

I would say ban Facebook and tik tok as well, they are on these apps until 5 Am every day, destroying their brains.

(BTW, I'm one of these youth)

Pakistan should also limit news channel and focus on proper entertainment. News channels just show fake news and dumb the population.

 

[gazza619]

Don't think any game can beat the level of violence that exists in our society!

Couldnt agree more.

The violence for example that the little girl maid faces at the hands of the lady of the house is not due to PUBG, is it..

 

[Firebat]

Once again with thinking the video games incite violence, it's absolutely ridiculous. One legitimate conversation is about the mental health problems or socially activity of kids playing video games, but please drop this notion of the violent games are destroying their brains and making them violent. The addiction of these games has nothing to do with the violence in them, and these games have no effect on the violence of the kids.

 

[MenInG]

The internationally renowned video game Player Unknown’s Battleground (PUBG) has been temporarily banned in Pakistan by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority PTA on first of July. The reason stated behind the whole scenario is that two children committed suicide over not being allowed to play the game and another young person dying while playing the game. The whole country is split up according to their own personal opinions. Many believe that this was done greatly in the favor of the nation while others have to say that this was an atrocious decision that will soon lead to seriously dire consequences for everyone.

Social media platforms have been stormed with people who showcase their skills in the game. Pakistani pro PUBG player Jawad Ali, currently runs his YouTube channel from the United Kingdom. He stated that, “In the course of four months of me showing my PUBG games to everyone, I gained 147 thousand subscribers all around the world. This was a huge way of people showing their feedback and support for the game and those who play it.” PUBG gameplay videos are constantly seen to be trending on YouTube. Players and celebrities all around the world can be seen playing the game either in a recorded video or even live.

The modern world is one where anyone can get to sell their skills to the whole world even while sitting at their homes. PUBG has garnered such a fan base that active economic participation has been seen in the game. “People in Pakistan have been making a solid earning with the help of PUBG. They have their loyal fans who view them on all platforms of social media. These days all videos are monetized so the uploader gets to earn from people enjoying the video online. I know so many people personally who took after playing PUBG as their professional and passionate career. It just breaks my heart to think that they would get a bitter taste of the harsh realities of life”, tells Solo King.

E-Sports have been getting the same reputation such as all other contemporary forms of sports. Several international PUBG tournaments have been held in which players from almost every country compete for the prize. “Pakistan gained a very respectful place at international platforms due to the performance of its PUBG players. Team Freestyle from Pakistan has won the International PUBG tournament and have competed in other well reputed events. This is a very new way of showing patriotism and collecting the respect for one’s own country”, said Solo King. Well-known brands such as Mountain Dew (PepsiCo) have also sponsored numerous PUBG tournaments in Pakistan that received a tremendous amount of participation from people. Many gaming tournaments have also been arranged by Solo King in coordination with major brands and sponsors, the Pakistani E-sports community keenly looks forward and participates in such sort of events.

People have been using the game as an alternate way of spending all the spare time they have at hand due to the current global situation. Staying at home was made easier for many due to the past time activity offered by PUBG. Solo King says, “It is known to everyone that Pakistan is one of the top porn consuming countries of the world. PUBG gave people a fun way to spend their free time while not being involved in any immoral or shameful act. If that is taken away from people, it cannot be imagined what notorious activities people will get into. The main focus is on the youth of the country”.

The deaths that are acclaimed as being due to PUBG have not been properly investigated by the forensic authorities. “The suicides are a very sad event but the mental health of those children was not monitored by their patients or else this could have been avoided. The other case of the death is very vaguely attached to PUBG. There could have been many other medical or drugs related reasons to that mortality. The sadness of these deaths cannot be over shadowed but the true reasons behind those must be brought to the public”, shared Jawad.

Many supporters of the ban on the game hold the opinion that it is a reckless way of spending hard earned money on things such as player skins and accessories. Solo King adds, “There is no fee or mandatory spending required to play the game. It is free for everyone to play. It is pretty ridiculous to be angry at people who spend their money on the game. No one gets this much backlash on buying a nice cricket bat for them to play with. I really don’t see the difference in both the cases”.

The discussion whether PUBG should be allowed or not in the country has a lot of grey areas that need to be discussed rather than seeing what can be gathered from the surface. The fate of the game in Pakistan still hangs in the balance as the government decides to permanently ban the game or lift the currently implemented temporary ban.

https://dailytimes.com.pk/635937/we...s-up-on-the-game-being-banned-in-his-country/

 

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday asked the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) whether the company owning the online game Player Unknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) was given the right to the hearing of the case per the law or not.

During the hearing today, the lawyer of the company owning PUBG told the court that they would appear during the hearing of PTA on July 9.

After hearing this, Justice Amir Farooq adjourned the hearing of the case till July 13, next Monday.

Also read: Lahore DIG wants permanent ban on PUBG, other 'violence-based online games'

PTA temporarily bans PUBG

Last week, PTA temporarily banned PUBG, an online battle game, for being "addictive" and detrimental to players' health.

The "PTA had 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 had 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".

PUBG 'under scrutiny'

Last month, local media had reported that a teenager reportedly died by suicide in Lahore's Hanjarwal neighbourhood after he "missed his mission" assigned in PUBG.

Top police officials had said the young boy "took the extreme step for not completing his task while playing the online game", a local media outlet had said. It quoted the superintendent of police (SP) for operations in Lahore's Saddar, Ghazanfar Syed, as saying: “We found his mobile phone on the bed with the PUBG game on at that time near his body."

Also read: PUBG temporarily banned in Pakistan

“It was purely a case of addiction as the boy used to play PUBG game for many hours a day,” the police officer had explained. “The PUBG has been under scrutiny for being a violent game and due to this, many countries are thinking of banning it."

Prior to that, a 20-year-old had also died by suicide the same month in Lahore's Saddar Bazaar area. The young man's parents had stopped him from playing the online game, police had said.

https://www.geo.tv/latest/296743-ih...any-owning-pubg-given-right-to-hearing-or-not

 

[Firebat]

PUBG ban will suppress talent, hurt pro gamers and esports in Pakistan: Arslan Ash

Pakistan’s top gamer Arslan ‘Ash’ Siddiqui has condemned the ban on PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG), and explained that the already marginalised gaming fraternity now faces more tribulation as the government's decision shuts another door on youth to make money from.

Days after the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) banned PUBG after a series of its young gamers in Pakistan committed suicide, Siddiqui stepped up to plead the gaming community's case.

The 24-year-old pro gamer, in a video on his YouTube channel, cited how a team from Pakistan was to take part in an international PUBG tournament but will not be able to do so now due to its ban.

"The ban will not see the qualifying team participate in the world finals. It's upsetting to see," he said.

"The team worked day in and day out but their efforts have gone to waste. Who will be held responsible for this?"

The unified Tekken champion said that as most of the gaming events were cancelled due to the pandemic, mobile gaming in general and PUBG in particular was booming and emerging as a way for professional gamers to make a living.

"One could still compete in PUBG from the comfort of their own home ... so banning the game is only suppressing more talent and is injustice for them as there is potential that they can make the country proud."

Furthermore, the Tekken star spoke of the lack of investment in esports and said that people needed to appreciate the community just like they support the national cricket team.

"I'm not criticising cricket but we're being neglected. People celebrated the PSL 2020 coming home but no one saw when I brought international players to Pakistan to compete," he rued.

"I was very happy when the Pakistan Cricket Board invited me to the PSL and appreciated me. In a similar fashion, the gaming community needs this support."

https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/5714-pubg-ban-injustice-to-gaming-talent-arslan-ash

 

[MenInG]

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority will decide today either to extend or lift the the ban on popular online game PUBG.

A temporary ban was imposed on the game on 1st July. over numerous complaints against PUBG wherein it is stated that the game is addictive, wastage of time and poses a serious negative impact on the physical and psychological health of children.

Justice Farooq asked the PTA lawyer whether PUBG was a game or website. He replied that the PTA had suspended the link for the gaming application.

The judge asked why the PTA had decided to ban the game, to which he was told that the Lahore police had written a letter about PUBG and its link to a number of suicides. We also got requests to block the game from parents.

Justice Farooq reminded the PTA that whatever it does must be according to the law. If you want to ban it, you must mention what law it violates, he said.

The court sent the petition to the PTA and disposed of it. The PTA will make a decision on the petition by July 8, the lawyer said.

Several petitions were filed against the ban in the Sindh High Court and the Islamabad High Court. On 6th July, the Islamabad High Court sent the petition against the suspension of the PUBG to the PTA.

PUBG is a game of the South Korean company designed in 2017 in which players are dropped onto an island to battle it out against others.

https://dailytimes.com.pk/638117/pta-to-decide-on-lifting-pubg-ban-today/

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Well I against all kinds of general bans, such attitude is killing tech industry we cannot afford such bans, I hope concerned minister <a href="https://twitter.com/SyedAminulHaque?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SyedAminulHaque</a> ll take note of this ban and PTA ll be instructed not to encourage such bans as it hinders tech growth in the long run <a href="https://t.co/GiEcFpbzDN">https://t.co/GiEcFpbzDN</a></p>— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) <a href="https://twitter.com/fawadchaudhry/status/1284730734666813441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 19, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Abdullah719]

IHC directs PTA to 'immediately' remove ban on PUBG

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday declared the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA's) move to temporarily suspend online game Player Unknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) void and directed the authority to "immediately" remove the ban.

The decision was announced in a short order issued by Justice Amir Farooq. A detailed judgement will be issued later.

It came on the heels of a tweet by PTA, posted shortly after midnight, in which the authority announced that the game would remain blocked in the country. It said that the decision "has been made by the Authority after a detailed hearing conducted in PTA on July 9 on the directions of the Lahore High Court".

PTA added that it had approached the gaming company to "share data about PUBG sessions and users in Pakistan and controls in place" and was waiting for a response.

'Addictive' game

The PTA had decided to "temporarily suspend" online game PUBG on July 1.

In a statement, the authority said it had received several complaints about the game being "addictive", a waste of time and its potential negative impact on children's physical and psychological health.

"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."

The suspension was denounced by social media users with hashtags such as "UnbanPUBG" and "ChickendinneratDChowk" trending on Twitter.

Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry tweeted that he was "against all such bans". "Such attitude is killing tech industry."

Chaudhry said he hoped IT Minister Aminul Haque would "take notice of the ban" and PTA would be "instructed not to encourage such bans as it hinders tech growth in the long run".

https://www.dawn.com/news/1570877/ihc-directs-pta-to-immediately-remove-ban-on-pubg

 

[topspin]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Well I against all kinds of general bans, such attitude is killing tech industry we cannot afford such bans, I hope concerned minister <a href="https://twitter.com/SyedAminulHaque?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SyedAminulHaque</a> ll take note of this ban and PTA ll be instructed not to encourage such bans as it hinders tech growth in the long run <a href="https://t.co/GiEcFpbzDN">https://t.co/GiEcFpbzDN</a></p>— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) <a href="https://twitter.com/fawadchaudhry/status/1284730734666813441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 19, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Great move by Fawad Chaudhry. Not his biggest fan but at least seems progressive when it comes to technology and innovation in respect of Pakistan's development.

But I would encourage Pakistanis (including everyone on Pakpassion) to give Call of Duty: Warzone a go. It's a much better Battle Royale game.

 

[PetroDollars]

Pakistan should invest in Esports, they can bring billions from it alone.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Press Release: PTA has issued a detailed order regarding blocking of online game PlayerUnknown's Battle Ground. The order has been issued in accordance with Islamabad High Court's orders after a hearing conducted by PTA on July 9 & in accordance with the provisions of PECA 2016. <a href="https://t.co/cRyYzMVizN">pic.twitter.com/cRyYzMVizN</a></p>— PTA (@PTAofficialpk) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTAofficialpk/status/1287734383009574915?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

KARACHI: As millions of gamers trended #ImranKhanPUBGKholo on Twitter, the Pakistan Telecom*munication Autho*rity (PTA) has issued a detailed order explaining the reasons behind blocking of online game PlayerUnknown’s Battle Ground (PUBG).

Last week, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had declared PTA’s move to temporarily suspend the online game void and directed the authority to immediately lift the ban. The decision was announced in a short order issued by Justice Amir Farooq. A detailed judgement will be issued later.

However, the PTA said PUBG would remain blocked in Pakistan.

In a press release issued on Monday, the PTA said it had issued a detailed order explaining the reasons why it had blocked the online game in accordance with the provisions of the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016. “The PTA provided an opportunity of hearing to concerned parties including PUBG’s lawyers. PTA has also approached PUBG management to inform about a suitable framework to address key concerns,” it added.

The authority said it had not received a response from PUBG so far.

IHC last week ordered authority to lift ban on online game

‘Moral turpitude’
In the order dated July 23, a copy of which is available with Dawn, the PTA discussed its jurisdiction under Peca to block online content, the impact of the ban on e-sports and the “negative effects” of the online game on mental health of the players, especially children/teenage players.

Under Section 37 of Peca, the PTA said it was empowered to remove or block or issue directives for removal or blocking of access to an information through any information system if it considered it necessary in the interest of “public order, decency or morality”. The element of “morality” had also been applied on PUBG, it added.

While examining the applications/requests received by the PTA, it found that the impact of PUBG is leading to the issue of “moral turpitude”. The term moral turpitude connotes anything done against just, honesty, modesty or good morals. It is deprivation of character and devoid of morality, the order states.

‘Negative effects’
The PTA said it had come across various studies, papers and reports regarding the impact of internet games, specifically PUBG, on the mental as well as physical health of the players. Besides violence and addiction, the authority said PUBG made people less productive.

“Sitting around in one place and playing for long hours is not good for physical health. Staring at the computer screen for long hours can affect eyesight and cause a headache,” the order states.

The academic performance of students was affected as gaming sessions tend to last longer, and a child, who is addicted to gaming, tends to get irritated at the smallest of things or if parents interfere in something, it notes.

E-sports
The authority said as far as concerns related to revenue generated by e-sports were concerned, it had asked PUBG to share the details of its earnings from Pakistan.

The details sought include prize money won by the Pakistani players and number of tournaments organised during the last one year. PUBG, it said, was not registered as an entity under the laws of Pakistan and there were no contractual arrangements or obligation between the parties.

The PTA said there were negative as well as perverse tendencies inherent in any human being. “The online phenomenon such as PUBG, bring this out. The Authority cannot ignore various aspects as mentioned above and sit back waiting for something to happen,” it added.

The authority said it considered it “necessary” to block PUBG being against the interest of public order. “In exercise of powers conferred under Section 37 of Peca, 2016, the Authority hereby orders that accessibility of PUBG will remain blocked in Pakistan,” it concluded.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1571533/ban-on-pubg-to-remain-in-interest-of-public-order-pta

 

[MenInG]

In what could be a massive setback to online gamers in India, a ban of the popular PUBG Mobile game will impact players who play it for fun and professionally.

The Indian government has made a list of 275 Chinese applications - including PUBG - which will be examined for any violation of national security and user privacy. This comes after the recent ban on 59 Chinese apps, which includes TikTok.

The recent developments are happening simultaneously with the geopolitical tensions between India and China. According to Economic Times, official sources have revealed that more Chinese apps are being investigated regarding their funding. "Some of these apps have been red-flagged due to security reasons while others have been listed for violation of data sharing and privacy concerns," an official told Economic Times.

PUBG MOBILE not only familiarized the audience with gameplay but went on to create established players today who have successful careers as gamers here in India. Some of the professional gaming careers PUBG MOBILE has fueled include, Aaditya ‘Dynamo Gaming’ Sawant who currently has over 7.5M subscribers, Naman ‘MortaL’ Mathur, who has over 5M subscribers and Ronny ‘Rawknee’ Dasgupta, who has over 1.8M subscribers, to name a few.

The primary aspect that distinguished PUBG MOBILE is the large and loyal community the game has fostered over the span of two years. From an avid following across social media platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to popular gamers streaming, debating, and putting forth consistent tips and tricks on the new features available, there is more information out there than one can take in.

The second wave of users that further enlarged our community can be credited to the inception of PUBG MOBILE LITE. This specific gaming experience was specially curated for lower-spec mobile users. PUBG MOBILE LITE was created to be a game that can run on phones having just a 2GB ram, along with dedicated features and optimizations for phones with low specs and regions with limited connectivity. This brought in a whole bunch of new users into our community.

The massive base of enthusiastic gamers also gave rise to an opportunity for PUBG MOBILE tournaments. No other esports brand in India has ever received the level of enthusiasm as us when it comes to attendance and viewership. The PUBG MOBILE INDIA SERIES(PMIS) and the PUBG MOBILE Club Open (PMCO) are the two biggest tournaments we had in India in 2019, both of which clocked well over 50M views.

The Indian cricket team also has a huge PUBG fan following, with players like KL Rahul, Yuzvendra Chahal, Manish Pandey amongst them.

https://www.outlookindia.com/websit...will-be-massive-blow-for-online-gamers/357501

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Once again with thinking the video games incite violence, it's absolutely ridiculous. One legitimate conversation is about the mental health problems or socially activity of kids playing video games, but please drop this notion of the violent games are destroying their brains and making them violent. The addiction of these games has nothing to do with the violence in them, and these games have no effect on the violence of the kids.

This isn't unique to Pakistan, we used to get big debates about video game violence over here as well, and probably still do at some level. Just it's been done to death, and video games are going stronger than ever. Why would Pakistan be any different?

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Press Release: A meeting was held between PTA and legal representatives of Proxima Beta Pte Ltd (PB).<br>Proxima Beta (PB) representatives briefed the Authority on response to queries raised by PTA with respect to controls put in place by PB to prevent misuse of the gaming platform <a href="https://t.co/73hPJKLxKi">pic.twitter.com/73hPJKLxKi</a></p>— PTA (@PTAofficialpk) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTAofficialpk/status/1288831986551762946?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


The Pakistan Telecom*munication Authority (PTA) announced on Thursday that it had decided to lift the ban on the online game PlayerUnknown’s Battle Ground (PUBG).

In a statement, the authority said that it had met with the legal representatives of the game. "[The] representatives briefed the authority on the response to queries raised by PTA with respect to controls put in place to prevent misuse of the gaming platform."

"The authority expressed its satisfaction on measures adopted so far and emphasised on continued engagement and a comprehensive control mechanism."

The statement added that the representatives welcomed PTA's feedback on the issue and assured that their concerns would be taken into account, urging the telecommunication authority to lift its ban.

"Keeping in view the positive engagement and response of the company, PTA has decided to unban PUBG," it added.

Reacting to the news, Minster for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry said that the decision to end the ban on the online game was a "sane approach".

"[A] ban is an extreme measure, must be very careful in [the] future," he said, adding that the science ministry was of the opinion that Pakistan must work closely with tech companies to resolve issues.

PTA had banned the online game on June 1, citing several complaints about it being "addictive", a waste of time and its potential negative impact on children's physical and psychological health.

Last week, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had declared PTA’s move void and directed the authority to immediately lift the ban. The decision was announced in a short order issued by Justice Amir Farooq.

However, the PTA had refused to review its decision and had issued a detailed explanation. The authority said it had come across various studies, papers and reports regarding the impact of internet games, specifically PUBG, on the mental as well as physical health of the players. Besides violence and addiction, the authority said PUBG made people less productive.

The authority had said it considered it “necessary” to block PUBG in the interest of public order.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1571972/pta-lifts-ban-on-pubg-after-meeting-company-representatives

 

[globalcitizen]

PUBG and Battle royal is developed by Irish developers.
All these Chinese companies like Tencent do is acquire the rights and distribute. Useless CCP come in the midst creating all privacy and security issues, making it hard for hardcore game enthusiasts to enjoy the experience . Ridiculous

 

[MenInG]

Popular online game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) has launched a special event ahead of Pakistan's 74th Independence Day, allowing its loyal fans to compete at various new locations modelled on the country's historical and cultural sites.

PUBG — which made headlines over the past few weeks due to Pakistan's telecommunications regulator imposing a ban on the game and the courts ruling it be lifted — has introduced these locations on its mobile app. The exclusive event runs until August 24, 2020.

Titled 'It's Beautiful, It's Pakistan', the new event comes as a "token of appreciation for all the love and support shown by its loyal player base here in Pakistan", according to a press release.

It lets players "journey from one exemplary monument to the other, from the comfort of their homes".

Also read: Top Pakistan gamer 'Ash' Siddiqui says ban on PUBG suppressing talent

To add to the enjoyment of fans and players, it has also created a host of PUBG-themed wallpapers of Pakistan’s most iconic monuments. Among the locations are Quaid's Mausoleum, Badshahi Mosque, Derawar Fort, Chitral and Hingol National Parks, Pakistan Monument, Noor Mahal, Clock Tower, and Ziarat Residency.

Here's how fans can access and participate in the new event:

During the event, players must complete daily missions to collect PUBG MOBILE Flips
Players can secure 1 Flip for each mission that is completed
PUBG MOBILE Flips can also be collected by playing the Daily Quiz which includes various interesting questions about Pakistan
Each day, 3 questions are to be answered, every correct answer will reward players with 1 PUBG MOBILE Flip
Once you collect Flips, players must go to the homepage and click on the active location to play Flip, Match and Win memory game using the PUBG MOBILE Flip
Players can tap on any card to flip it and reveal the reward hidden behind it
Players can flip the next card and if the reward on the second card matches that of the first card, the user wins the corresponding reward and also reveals the portion of the exclusive art of a famous monument/landmark in Pakistan that is hidden behind the cards
However, if the two cards don't match, it will be turned back over
Every location has 6 cards, hiding 3 rewards in a pair
Players must collect all the rewards on the current location and reveal the hidden monument/landmark completely to travel to the next location
Players can keep sharing the monuments/landmarks artwork with their friends on social media platforms in honour of our 74th Independence Day with PUBG MOBILE
PUBG ban and fans' outrage
Last month, after a lot of back-and-forth between the courts and the regulator, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) finally lifted a ban on PUBG after the company's representatives assured it of addressing the concerns.

The decision came after fans expressed outrage on social media platforms. The regulator had argued that the online game was "highly addictive” and a "wastage of time".

Read more: Pakistan lifts bans on PUBG, Bigo after PTA meets companies' representatives

In its detailed, 11-page report, the body had underscored how the game was "destroying youth" and "has a negative impact on physical and psychological health”.

However, in its announcement of lifting the ban, the regulator said the company's representatives had apprised Pakistani officials "on response to queries raised by PTA with respect to controls put in place by PB to prevent misuse of the gaming platform".

"The Authority expressed its satisfaction on measures adopted by PB so far, and emphasized on continued engagement and a comprehensive control mechanism," it had added.

"Keeping in view the positive engagement & response of the company, the Authority has decided to unban PUBG," the PTA had said.

https://www.geo.tv/latest/302625-pu...tans-historical-locations-on-independence-day

 

[Abdullah719]

One more teenager commits suicide in Lahore for not being allowed to play PUBG

A teenage boy in Lahore committed suicide after his mother stopped him from playing Players Unknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG).

According to local media reports, his body was found on the roof of the house with a noose around his neck. This new case of suicide adds to the already several cases in Punjab. A teenage boy in Hanjarwal, Punjab committed suicide after his parents stopped him from playing the game.

Another case emerged in Lahore where a 20-year-old boy took his own life in Saddar Bazaar neighbourhood in North Cantonment

On June 1, the Pakistan Telecom*munication Authority (PTA) banned PUBG, citing several complaints about it being addictive and its potential negative impact on children’s physical and psychological health.

However, the PTA lifted the ban on July 30.

https://www.brecorder.com/news/4001...-in-lahore-for-not-being-allowed-to-play-pubg

 

[MenInG]

HIS E-SPORTS venture in disarray after the PUBG ban in India, a Kashmiri teenager reached out across the border — and got players from Pakistan to represent his team for the qualifiers of a pro league.

Two months ago, Stalwart Esports, a professional gaming outfit owned by 18-year-old Zeyan Shafiq from Anantnag, secured India a slot in the PUBG Mobile Pro League (PMPL) South Asia qualifiers. But with its roster of Indian players unavailable to compete with the popular mobile game banned since September due to concerns over its links to Chinese companies, Shafiq reached out to members of the Pakistani champions, Team Freestyle.

They agreed. And although the India-Pakistan collaboration failed to advance through the regional event, which concluded earlier this week, it was a win-win for the fans, and Shafiq.

“When you have got the determination nothing could stop you, not even the ban!!!! Divided by borders and disputes, united by esports,” read the announcement by Stalwart Esports on Twitter last month. “If I have an option to pick a player from a country with which we don’t have good ties, but if that player is really skilled and I know if he will join my roster he can do wonders, why shouldn’t I provide a chance?” Shafiq told The Indian Express from Anantnag.

He said that he hasn’t let go of his Indian players — “they are my family” — and with PUBG slated to relaunch soon with a shift to Microsoft, the rendezvous with Pakistan remains a one-off. Shafiq’s outfit wasn’t the only Indian team to look for help from neighbours. FutureStation and Element Esports borrowed players from Bangladesh and Nepal, respectively. But the apprehension around Pakistani players representing an Indian team was high, says Shafiq. “When we took the decision, there were some negative aspects in mind as well,” said Shafiq. “If we would have faced backlash, we would have taken some action. But the majority understood that we were helpless and would have had to give up the berth. They welcomed the decision, and we were happy to continue.”

In Pakistan, meanwhile, the competitive PUBG season had been ravaged by Covid and a ban of their own in July. So Team Freestyle, the inaugural Pakistani champions in 2018, jumped at the opportunity.

Bonding

“We received Stalwart’s email and thought it would be a great opportunity,” said Abdul Haseeb Nasir, aka Black in the PUBG circuit. “It was a lot of fun. Our performance was up and down but experiences like these help you form bonds. They are from India, we are from Pakistan. But we were getting support from both countries.” Nasir, who played under-16 cricket in Rawalpindi before PUBG took priority, is a 20-year-old cult figure in Pakistan — not only because of his virtual exploits but also as the “saviour” who helped lift the ban in his country on the favourite game of millions. On July 2, citing a suicide case, Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) announced the ban stating that “the game is addictive, wastage of time, and poses a serious negative impact on the physical and psychological health of children”.

This move came on the cusp of a Global Finals appearance for Team Freestyle, who had to compete over Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). The resulting lag and data loss meant they stood no chance in a game dictated by split-second frames. Nasir spent most of the rest of July at the Islamabad High Court after filing a petition against the ban. “I stood in the sun for days, engaged in a legal battle trying to convince that this is nothing illegal. People often say ‘this is a game about guns and killing people, don’t let your kids play’. I argued that this is just a game. Banning it will only be detrimental for Pakistan,” said Nasir. “The ban was lifted within a month and people who didn’t even play competitively knew that Black from Freestyle did this.”

That community, however, threatened to turn on Team Freestyle when Stalwart came calling. “We were getting some hate initially. For Stalwart, the question was ‘why are you picking players from Pakistan?’ For us, it was ‘why are you playing for India?'” said Nasir, who pacified his supporters by reminding them that they will be addressed as “players from Pakistan”.

Team Freestyle. (Special arrangement)
“We explained that the slot is because of India, but Pakistan is being represented in the competition. We said ‘instead of four teams from Pakistan, now there were five. You should be happy’,” he said. Tensions dissipated once the competition began. Over four days and against 19 opponents, Stalwart Esports ebbed and flowed. But the live chat was flooded with viewers professing love for the India-Pakistan collaboration.

Shafiq believes the showing bodes well for South Asian teams, a region which has historically struggled against heavyweights from East and Southeast. “I do understand there are political disputes. But this is high time we rise above them and show some unity, at least in the gaming aspect. There were many negative comments because India and Pakistan joined forces. But overall, the reaction was mature,” said Shafiq. “I will sum it up with one comment I saw: ‘India + Pakistan = OP (overpowered).”

“There might be problems between the countries, but this unites us,” asserts Nasir. “Believe me, we have as many supporters from India as we do from Pakistan. Every day they reach out to us via DMs, and you can’t explain how it feels. In those moments, it doesn’t matter who is from India or Pakistan. The love we get is the same from both.”

https://indianexpress.com/article/s...ed-hands-for-kashmir-india-pubg-team-7049726/

 

[KoyoAli]

Divided by Borders, United by eSports: How India and Pakistan Teamed Together for PUBG

When India banned the hit PUBG mobile game over its diplomatic row with China, Zeyan Shafiq's eSports team was suddenly left without players. So Shafiq, who is based in Kashmir, did something very unusual: he reached across the border to Pakistan.

Shafiq, 18, feared reprisals over his move, but none came. It resulted in an unheard-of alliance between Indian and Pakistani gamers, forged in one of the most dangerous regions in the world.

"Of course we had a lot of things in the mind when we made this move including a possibility of backlash," Shafiq told AFP.

"But by God's grace everything went well and people supported us on both sides. They understood that this is eSports and there is no partiality between these two countries."

PUBG, or PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, is a military-style war game where teams battle online, and whose mobile app has been downloaded hundreds of millions of times around the world.

The game echoes real-life in Kashmir, which is disputed by India and Pakistan and where shells and bullets hurtle almost daily across the border.

But following a deadly clash with Chinese troops on another disputed frontier, India blocked the PUBG app, which is licensed by Chinese tech giant Tencent, along with dozens of others.

It left Shafiq's Stalwarts Esports team without players after they had already earned a shot at reaching the PUBG world league, which offers $2 million in prizes.

"I somehow managed to retain a slot for my team but was not allowed to pick Indian players. So I got in touch with the Pakistan players," he said.

"The Pakistan team played in the world league last year... so I told them they should collaborate with me and they agreed."

Shafiq's move cuts through decades of tensions between India and Pakistan, whose sporting ties are non-existent. It's been 13 years since either side visited the other to play cricket, the two countries' favorite game.

Early this year, an unofficial Indian kabaddi team caused an uproar when it landed in Pakistan for a tournament. India's government and the kabaddi federation both denied sending a team.

Relations haven't always been so poor. In 1987, future Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, then 14, stood in as a fielder for a Pakistan team led by Imran Khan, now the Pakistani prime minister, in an exhibition game in Mumbai. But such a move is now unthinkable.

Stalwarts Esports ultimately failed in their bid to reach the PUBG world league. But Abdul Haseeb, one of the Pakistani players, said the collaboration was a success in other ways.

"We were happy to represent our talent without caring about national borders," he said.

"In the end, the love and support we received from both countries fulfilled our purpose of being on that platform and representing both Pakistan and India."

https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/di...akistan-teamed-together-for-pubg-3186194.html

 

[MenInG]

JARANWALA: A young man in Faisalabad lost his life on Monday after he reportedly "failed to win" a game of PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) online, family sources said.

According to hospital staff, the young man, who hailed from Jaranwala, was shifted to the hospital yesterday in an unconscious state.

The family said that the young man had been playing the online game for the last six months. Losing the last stage of the game last night had a profound effect on the young man's mind, they added. The exact cause of death, however, was not explained.

PUBG Pakistan, a popular online game officially known as PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, was previously banned in Pakistan on a temporary basis after reports emerged that it had negative effects on the minds of the youth.

Earlier in July, a 22-year-old man in Quetta had committed suicide after missing a task in PUBG. The young boy was already depressed because of a love affair, and missing a task in the online game made things worse for him, police said.

In the past, two more youngsters reportedly took their lives after losing the game.

 

[MenInG]

LAHORE: A 13-yeard-old was found murdered after being abducted by a friend he had made while playing the online game PUBG, reported The News.

The publication reported that the police recovered the body of the child from the Raiwind area of Lahore.

The victim, who was identified as Hassan Abbas, was kidnapped along with two other kids by the suspect who he had met while playing PUBG.

The News reported that the Hassan was kidnapped by the suspect from the Raiwind to Sheikhupura road. The case against the suspect was registered on the complaint of Hassan's uncle Ghulam Hussain.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/330154-13-year-old-murdered-by-person-he-befriended-on-pubg

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Senate Committee Tries to Ban Online Games That Aren't Even Online <a href="https://t.co/tcZgigOnWX">https://t.co/tcZgigOnWX</a></p>— ProPakistani (@ProPakistaniPK) <a href="https://twitter.com/ProPakistaniPK/status/1357336032585285633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan, after enjoying a celebrated reign in sports exports, has now gained promising momentum in ESports being played online with intricate minds. Gone are the days where cricket and hockey attracted Pakistani youth, the recent trends show Pakistani youth attraction towards the ESports industry that is considered as new Hollywood due to the sponsorship and organisations involved in it, said a study published during Covid-19 lockdown in 2020.

The research journal focusing on market trends “Market Watch” narrated that following the footsteps of Europe and American markets, Pakistani youth is thrilled to add ESports culture to the Pakistani market. The Information Technology (IT) sector is fast growing in Pakistan with a contribution of 1 percent about 3.5 million USD to the GDP of the country. With the induction of the ESports ecosystem this net gross is expected to boost by a sizable margin, it said.

E-Games like Players Unknown Battlegrounds (PUBG), Free Fire, DOTA, Call of Duty (COD) and Valorant is the new craze among the Pakistan gaming community. With over 10 million active users PUBG has revolutionised the ESports culture in Pakistan followed by COD, Free Fire, and Valorant. The competitive ESports that have been introduced by these games have lured organisations and sponsors.

Dew gamers arena 2020 offered a prize pool worth Rs3.2 million to the participants, recently concluded PUBG Mobile Club Open (PMCO) Pakistan region had a prize pool of $29,200, PUBG Mobile National Championship (PMNC) held earlier in August had a prize pool of $30,000, Free Fire Pro League Pakistan (FFPL) held in July had a huge prize pool of Rs10 million. E-Sports sensations like Arslan Ash and Sumail Hassan are beacons of light for young Pakistani gamers pursuing their career in ESports. The latter is currently ranked 10th in the overall ranking of the world by earnings with total earnings of over $3 million. Arslan Ash has won Tekken-7 Ultimate Fighting League held in Kyiv, Ukraine which was the first ever participation of Pakistan in global events of Tekken-7.

Taha Talib, renowned Free Fire player about ESports depth in Pakistan, said, “The current market has improved a lot as compared to the past. The prize pools are much higher and moreover, the acceptance for ESports is growing day by day.”

When asked about future E-gaming in Pakistan, he responded that “The future offers great scope, the upcoming tournaments are a major attraction for young players. However, constant fear of restrictions is what worries me the most.” The ban culture in Pakistan has muddled the ESports growth in Pakistan. The most recent ban on PUBG in July last year hampered the ESports growth with investors and organizations doubtful about the ESports environment

Addressing this ban culture, authorities must develop a working relationship with the gaming industry and collective efforts should be made to remit the negative aspects, he concluded.

https://dailytimes.com.pk/810974/pakistani-a-market-gains-promising-momentum/

 

[Maher96]

LAHORE:The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday dismissed a plea seeking a ban on PUBG, a popular online game. The petition was filed by a citizen Tanveer Sarwar following an increase in the killing incidents allegedly linked to the game.

Last month, police arrested an 18-year-old "PUBG addict" from Lahore after he allegedly shot dead his mother, sister and brother while they were asleep.

The police officials claimed that the teenager had taken the extreme step after being addicted to playing the online game. The suspect got depressed by repeatedly losing in the online game and being scolded by his mother for excessive indulgence.

“Repeated defeats in the game (PUBG) increased my stress and I fired shots thinking that everyone will come back to life like in the game,” the suspect confessed before the police.

However, the court rejected the writ petition after neither the petitioner nor his counsel appeared before the LHC to pursue the case.

Also read: Ban sought on PUBG again

The petitioner’s counsel, Nadeem Sarwar, contended that the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2018 had declared gaming addiction as a mental health disorder as it “increased depression and anxiety levels”.

He implored that in Pakistan, the videogame was responsible for violent incidents due to its "adverse impact".

The counsel further implored that the online game had become a "serious life and health threat to users" and caused hardships to the family members of the players and that it would "ruin the younger generation" if an early ban was not imposed.

“In action upon the part of state functionaries to ban PUBG despite happening of horrible incidents of killing is violative of Article 9 (right to life), 37 and 38-D of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973, hence a ban need to be imposed upon this game at the earliest without further delay to protect the lives of the young generation,” the petitioner contended.

Sarwar further stated that there was no law for regulating online games in Pakistan while in neighbouring India, laws had been enacted to regulate online gaming. The counsel added, "It was the need of the hour to promulgate law for regulating online gaming and a direction could be issued to the respondent (Federation of Pakistan through secretary law) to frame laws regulating online gaming like other countries".

He further stated that India was just one of the many countries that have banned the popular battle royal game. Other counties where the game is banned include China, Jordan, Nepal, Israel and Iraq. Many other countries have plans to ban the game in the near future, he claimed.


“Known outcomes of playing PUBG are a strain on the eyes, frazzle, migraine, obesity, poor sleep, violence and more. Psychological health issues are there too, such as withdrawal (irritability, poor sleep, anger) depression, insomnia and even substance abuse as a result of compulsive disorder.”

Sarwar also claimed that addiction to such games could trigger illegal substance abuse and could ultimately lead to a deterioration of health. "Despite this, youngsters and adults spend a lot of time playing PUBG."

The petitioner made respondents the Federation of Pakistan through secretary law, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulator Authority (PEMRA) through its chairman and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) through its chairman.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2342424/lhc-dismisses-petition-seeking-ban-on-pubg