Pakistan on Wednesday temporarily blocked the hugely popular online game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG). 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 recent media reports, cases of suicide attributed to PUBG game have also been reported. Last month the police in Lahore had recommended a ban after a teenaged player killed himself. The 16-year-old boy committed suicide after he failed to accomplish a mission.

The CCPO had taken up the matter with the higher authorities through a letter referring to the death by suicide of a teenage boy, who was an ardent player of the game.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) 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 July 9, 2020.

The PTA also urged the public to provide their feedback on the online game before July 10 by emailing the authority.

Pakistan’s move follows similar bans in Jordan, Iraq, Nepal, the Indian state of Gujarat and the Indonesian province of Aceh.