YouTuber Saadur Rehman, known as Ducky Bhai, was granted bail by the Lahore High Court on Monday. Justice Shahram Sarwar Chaudhry approved his request, ordering his release after he furnished a Rs1 million bail bond. Earlier, Justice Farooq Haider had recused himself from hearing the case, leading to the formation of a new bench.
Ducky Bhai’s arrest stemmed from his alleged involvement in promoting gambling platforms through his YouTube channel. The Lahore NCCIA took action after discovering fraudulent activities linked to gambling apps, causing significant public losses. Ducky Bhai, along with his wife Arooba Jatoi, denied any involvement in illegal promotions, claiming they were unaware of the apps’ fraudulent nature.
On August 17, Ducky Bhai was arrested at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport. He faced charges related to promoting platforms like Binomo, 1xBet, Bet365, and B9 Game, all linked to online gambling. The charges include offenses under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, as well as the Pakistan Penal Code.
The case has sparked concern within Pakistan’s digital community, highlighting the need for clearer regulations on influencer marketing. Authorities have reportedly summoned several other YouTubers for questioning regarding their promotional activities. This move reflects increasing scrutiny of influencer-driven promotions in the country.
The controversy underscores the growing influence of digital content creators in Pakistan. As millions of Pakistanis turn to YouTubers and TikTok stars for financial advice, the case raises questions about advertising ethics and the role of influencers in promoting products online.
