A citizen has filed a writ petition in the Islamabad High Court calling for a ban on Gambling Apps in Pakistan. The move aims to protect the country’s social, moral, and financial well-being.
Chaudhry Tabir ul Haq, a resident of Islamabad, submitted the petition under Article 199 of the Constitution. He requested urgent action against illegal gambling platforms like Betway, 1xBet, and Bet365, which reportedly operate unchecked through online marketing and digital payment systems.
The petition names several federal institutions as respondents. These include the Federation of Pakistan through the Ministry of Interior, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), and Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA).
According to the petition, gambling operators exploit loopholes in digital payment services such as Easypaisa, JazzCash, and SadaPay. They allegedly disguise illegal betting transactions as normal peer-to-peer transfers or business payments. The petition claims this activity violates Islamic injunctions and Pakistani laws, including the Public Gambling Act 1867, Pakistan Penal Code, and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2010.
The petitioner criticizes PTA for failing to block these platforms under PECA 2016. SBP and FIA are also accused of inaction in monitoring and investigating gambling-related financial flows.
Relying on constitutional provisions like Articles 2-A, 3, 37(g), and 227, the petition asks the court to:
- Ban all gambling apps and websites in Pakistan
- Block online advertisements promoting gambling
- Direct SBP and financial services to prevent gambling transactions
- Instruct FIA to investigate facilitators of illegal gambling
- Ask PEMRA to run awareness campaigns on gambling risks
The petition highlights the economic, moral, and psychological harm caused by gambling apps, particularly to youth and vulnerable communities. It also warns that ignoring the issue could affect Pakistan’s international standing with bodies like FATF.
The Islamabad High Court will review the petition and may decide on strict measures against Gambling Apps operating in Pakistan.
In other related news also read PTA Shuts Down 184 Gambling Apps and Websites
