When you thought the year 2020 couldn’t produce any more blockbusters, it just dishes out an entire series out of the bag.
Pakistan on Wednesday announced it is banning the popular battle royale game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds aka PUBG.
But the major shock didn’t start here, as earlier this week, India issued a ban to TikTok and 58 other apps that had some connotation with China, a country the Modi government is currently dealing with over the recent faceoff at the LAC.
However, PUBG escaped unscathed from the ban, which is believed has something to do with the game’s different origins. But it seems the country is tightening the noose on the popular game.
The mobile version of PUBG, called PUBG Mobile, is published by Tencent, a Chinese colossus that owns a huge part of the country’s Internet catalogue.
The announcement has no doubt drawn the ire of the gaming community as well as it’s developers.
PUBG players in Pakistan have decried the move by the government, terming it unfair and a hurdle to the growth of esports in the country. Some have criticised the government for not banning TikTok(then) and have gone ahead to make references to India’s blanket ban on ByteDance’s TikTok and other apps.
But, you just won’t guess the reason PUBG is getting blacklisted, would you?
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has said PUBG has been banned after several complaints from different segments of society against the harmful effects of the game on the player’s health were received. PUBG has also been cited as one of the reasons for cases of suicide in Pakistan.
“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,” said Pakistan Telecommunication Authority in a press release shared on Twitter.
The government authority of Pakistan has termed PUBG “addictive” and a “wastage of time” and that it poses “serious negative impact” on the physical and psychological health of players.
Some cases of suicide have also been attributed by media reports to the ill effects of PUBG among players, which are under investigation on the orders of Lahore High Court.
Oh hell noo!!!
However, the ban on PUBG by the Pakistan government seems to be only temporary.
Hehehe, I thought you’d say that!
The PTA has sought feedback from the public by July 10 on whether PUBG should remain under the ban or should it be reinstated for the public.
“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.”
Though India and major PUBG playing countries have made no comment regarding the ban, it is of no doubt that the 8 days will be crucial if PUBG Mobile and it’s will be reinstated in the country.
Originally Posted On NaijaTechGuy
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