PUBG Mobile addiction allegedly drives youth to shoot four family members in Pakistan; authorities calling for a complete ban on the game

The massive success of PUBG Mobile has, at times, attracted a lot of negative attention. India kicked things off by banning the game outright, only for it to be relaunched under the Battleground Mobile India moniker. Bangladesh and Nepal had plans to give it the boot, but nothing came of that. Now, Pakistan has joined the list of South Asian countries that want to ban PUBG Mobile.

A report from Pakistani news outlet Dawn talks about a harrowing incident that the authorities tied to PUBG Mobile. A fourteen-year-old from Lahore allegedly murdered four family members due to his inability to achieve in-game goals. It reportedly sent him into a rage, after which he got his hands on his mother's firearm and committed the heinous act.

The report adds that three other players have committed suicide due to PUBG Mobile-related stress in the past two years. In this instance, only an exhaustive psychological analysis and thorough investigation will reveal if PUBG Mobile was the driver behind the crime.

Meanwhile, the local police are petitioning the government to ban the game outright. Although it is too early to cast speculations, the ban has a high chance of being approved following the series of events. Similar games such as PUBG: New State and Garena Free Fire could get the hammer, too.