PTA Succumbs To Public Pressure, Lifts Ban On PUBG, Bigo

PTA Succumbs To Public Pressure, Lifts Ban On PUBG, Bigo

After meetings with the representatives of both the companies, the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) has lifted the ban on PUBG and live-streaming application Bigo.


In a press release, The PTA said that it met the legal representatives of the Proxima Beta Pte. Ltd (PB), the data controlling company, who apprised Pakistani officials on the response to queries raised by PTA with respect to controls put in place by PB to prevent misuse of the gaming platform.


"The Authority expressed its satisfaction on measures adopted by PB so far, and emphasized on continued engagement and a comprehensive control mechanism.


"The representative of the company welcomed PTA’s feedback on the issue and assured that the concerns of PTA would be taken into account. In addition, the company requested PTA to unban PUBG," it added.

"Keeping in view the positive engagement & response of the company, the Authority has decided to unban PUBG," the PTA said on Twitter.


On July 24, the IHC ordered the PTA to unblock PUBG immediately. However, the PTA had refused.

Ban On Bigo Lifted:


In a separate press release, the authority said that its ban on Bigo came 'as a result of constant engagement and a detailed review by PTA' and meeting with the app's representatives.


"A meeting was held between PTA Authority Members and Vice President South Asia Operations of Bigo, Mr. Jhon Zhang wherein the representative assured Bigo’s commitment to moderate immoral and indecent content in accordance with Pakistani laws.


"Bigo management assured continued engagement with PTA to address the issue of unlawful content," the authority added.