A sessions court on Wednesday sentenced a young man to life imprisonment on four counts for killing his mother, two sisters, and brother in 2022, allegedly under the influence of the online game PUBG (PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds).
The verdict was announced by Additional District & Sessions Judge Riaz Ahmad, who found Ali Zain, the accused, guilty of four counts of murder. Zain, who was only 14 years old at the time of the crime, has been handed life imprisonment (25 years each) and a fine of Rs4 million.
The Case
The case was registered by Kahna police after the incident in 2022. According to the prosecution, Zain was heavily addicted to PUBG and allegedly inspired by its violent gameplay. On the night of the killings, at around 2:00 a.m., he opened fire on his family members inside their home in LDA Chowk, Kahna.
The victims were identified as:
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Naheed Mubarak (45) — mother, a lady health worker.
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Taimoor Sultan (20) — brother.
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Mahnoor Fatima (15) — sister.
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Jannat (10) — sister.
They were discovered shot dead in a room of their multi-storey family residence.
Evidence and Prosecution
State Prosecutor Habibur Rehman presented evidence before the trial court, stating that the confession of the accused, coupled with forensic evidence, was sufficient to establish guilt.
“Ample evidence was available on record besides the confession of the accused,” the prosecutor told the court, stressing the violent influence of the online game in shaping Zain’s mindset.
The court accepted the prosecution’s argument and convicted Zain on all four counts.
Custody and Sentence
The judge ordered that Zain be handed over to the superintendent of Kot Lakhpat Jail to serve his sentences. All four sentences will run concurrently.
PUBG’s Controversial Influence
The incident once again highlights the dangers of excessive gaming addiction, particularly among young people. PUBG has been blamed in several violent incidents in Pakistan, prompting debates about whether the game should be regulated or banned.
While the Lahore High Court and PTA (Pakistan Telecommunication Authority) have previously reviewed petitions calling for restrictions on PUBG due to its addictive and violent content, the game remains widely popular in the country.
Looking Ahead
The tragic case of Ali Zain not only underscores the devastating personal cost of unchecked gaming addiction but also raises critical questions for parents, policymakers, and regulators about monitoring digital habits among youth and ensuring psychological support before virtual obsessions turn into real-life tragedies.
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