Sistrology star Iqra’s husband Areeb summoned by NCCIA in betting app case

LAHORE: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) is still tightening the noose over people propagating the betting and gambling menace, luring the young generation towards this fraud.

During the crackdown, Areeb Pervaiz, husband of YouTuber Iqra Kanwal, has been called for gambling and unlawful app promotion. Areeb has been instructed to appear before the agency today.

Iqra Kanwal herself has also been served a notice by NCCIA, but has not appeared yet owing to childbirth. Notices had earlier been issued to Rajab Butt, Iqra Kanwal, and Ins Ali for promoting online gambling, and all three of them were ordered to appear before the agency on September 9.

The case against YouTuber and artist Kanwal, who is alleged to have marketed gambling apps on social media, has been postponed temporarily because she was pregnant. The inquiry launched on August 28 also includes other creators such as Saadur Rehman, better known as Ducky Bhai.

Kanwal sent a written reply to the National Coordination Centre for Investigating Online Activities (NCCIA) through her lawyer, Barrister Mian Ali Ashfaq. She said that, on the doctor’s advice, she needs at least two months’ rest and cannot appear before investigators now.

A recent investigation found that Pakistan’s growing online gambling epidemic is being driven by top social media influencers touting the apps, particularly to young people. The influential figures, such as Nadir Ali and others, have reportedly urged betting through viral material, depicting it as simple cash or entertaining challenges.

Millions of rupees are estimated by authorities to be flowing out of the nation every month in a shadow economy and fueling gambling addiction. Public indignation is mounting, with popular hashtags demanding online gambling be banned, as regulators promise tougher laws and more severe punishments for participants.