Pakistan PUBG murder case: Lahore court sentences 17-year-old to 100 years in jail for killing family

PUBG Mobile

A Pakistani court in Lahore has sentenced a teenager to 100 years in prison for murdering his family, a crime investigators linked to his obsession with the online battle royale game PUBG. The convict, identified as Zain Ali, was 14 years old at the time of the killings in 2022. The judgment was recently delivered by Additional Sessions Judge Riaz Ahmed.

The judgment
According to court officials, Ali received four life terms—25 years for each victim—adding up to 100 years. The court chose imprisonment instead of the death penalty due to his age when the murders occurred. Judge Ahmed stated that the killings were carried out “under the influence of an online game,” describing how Ali allowed his addiction to override family ties.

The crime
Police records reveal that Ali’s mother, Nahid Mubarak, frequently scolded him about excessive gaming. On the day of the incident, after playing PUBG for hours and reportedly missing a target in the game, Ali snapped when his mother confronted him again. He then took his mother’s licensed pistol and opened fire in the family home. His mother, aged 45, elder brother Taimur, 20, and sisters Mahnoor, 15, and Jannat, 10, were killed instantly.

Link to PUBG
Investigators described Ali as a “diehard PUBG player” who often displayed aggression when failing to achieve in-game goals. They argued that his frustration in the game combined with family pressure triggered the violent act. PUBG, known for its survival-style format where 100 players compete until one remains, has been controversial in Pakistan, with calls for restrictions due to violent behavior linked to addiction.

Psychologist Muhammad Ali Khan in Islamabad told VICE World News that the case may involve deeper psychological concerns. While only a full assessment could determine the mental state, he suggested possibilities such as a psychotic break, anger management issues, depression, bipolar disorder, or impulse control disorder.