PUBG Still Banned in Pakistan Despite Court Order To Unban

Despite the Islamabad High Court ordering the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority to lift the band on PUBG, the game continues to remain banned in the country according to an official statement made by the PTA earlier today. While there is no specification of the PC or the mobile version in the official document, the mobile version is most likely the one in question 

[Also read: Pakistan Issues Temporary Ban on PUBG] 

The PUBG Ban-Unban Saga  Continues

The PTA initially banned the game on July 1 with the matter set to go to court on July 9. The official reason that the PTA provided was that they have received several complaints “wherein it is stated that the game is addictive, wastage of time and poses serious negative impact on physical and psychological health of children.” While the PTA announced that the game would continue to remain banned, the Islamabad High Court ordered the authorities to lift the game. However, earlier today the PTA released a statement that the game would continue to remain banned in the country.

[Also read: PUBG Mobile Ban Lifted In Pakistan]

According to the PTA, the decision has been taken in accordance with the Islamabad High Court's decision and is in accordance with the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act of 2016. The statement mentions that the hearing on July 9 was an opportunity of hearing to the concerned parties including PUBG's lawyers. The PTA also claimed to have informed the PUBG management about a suitable framework to address key concerns, but did not receive a response. 

On Wednesday, July 22,  Pakistan's Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry slammed  the ongoing "moral policing and ban approach" in Pakistan. Fawad said that it was not okay to go on banning apps left, right, and centre, as it would "destroy [Pakistani] tech industry". He highlighted how development in technology would "be permanently hampered" across Pakistan, a country that already lags significantly behind the world in terms of science and research.The federal minister also expressed his concern over how there was a consistent and "ill-advised interference in economic matters" that affected the country’s growth. 

Pakistani team, Free Style are also currently competing in the PUBG Mobile World League, East Division. The team missed the initial seeding matches due to the PTA decision but were able to eventually appeal to the authorities and get permission to play their matches in the last two weeks.