A Pakistani teenager has been sentenced to 100 years in prison and fined 4 million Pakistani rupees (around NT$460,000) for the 2022 murder of his family, a case that shocked the nation and reignited discussions on youth addiction to digital devices and gaming.
According to NDTV, the incident involved 14-year-old Zain Ali, who was reportedly addicted to the mobile game PUBG. He spent most of his time isolated in his room, neglecting school and family responsibilities, despite repeated scoldings from his mother.
One evening in 2022, after losing multiple rounds in the game, Zain Ali became enraged following a confrontation with his mother. In a tragic escalation, he retrieved his mother’s handgun and fatally shot her, his brother, and his two sisters while they were sleeping. He was immediately arrested by police, and he reportedly confessed to the killings, admitting that his prolonged gaming habit had contributed to emotional instability and violent tendencies.
After a three-year trial, the court found Zain Ali guilty. Initially sentenced to four life terms, the judgment was adjusted due to his minor status at the time of the crime, resulting in four 25-year prison terms totaling 100 years. In addition to the prison sentence, he was ordered to pay a fine of 4 million Pakistani rupees.
The case has drawn national attention in Pakistan, sparking debates over teenage gaming addiction, parental supervision, and the impact of digital devices on youth behavior.
