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MULTAN, Jan 18 (APP):South Punjab was witnessing an alarming rise in gambling activities among young people,spreading quietly yet rapidly across urban neighborhoods and rural villages.What was once considered an occasional pastime has now transformed into a dangerous obsession, taking multiple forms and drawing youth into a cycle of financial loss, frustration, and false hopes of overnight wealth.
In cities and towns across the region,young men are increasingly betting money on snooker games , where illegal wagers are placed under the guise of entertainment.
At the same time, various mobile phone applications offering online gambling and betting services have made the practice even more accessible. With just a smart-phones and internet connection,youth are risking their pocket money and in many cases,borrowed cash,chasing unrealistic dreams of quick success.
The trend is not limited to urban centers. In rural areas of South Punjab, traditional forms of gambling remain deeply rooted. Betting on pigeon flying competitions is common, while cockfighting has also emerged as a popular yet illegal activity, involving even daily wagers. These practices are silently damaging the moral and economic fabric of society.
Residents of Nawabpur road Multan,Vehari,Khanewal including Salman, Arif, Furqan, Bilal, Saleem and Daniyal, have expressed serious concern over the growing trend.
They believe that most young gamblers were driven by the desire to become rich through shortcuts rather than hard work.
As a result,many end up losing their entire pocket money, damaging family trust, and falling into stress and depression at a young age.
The citizens warned if this trend was not curbed immediately,it will spread further and become even more difficult to control.
They pointed out that gambling not only harms individuals but also fuels disputes, crime, and social instability in local communities.
While appreciating the Punjab government’s ongoing campaign against narcotics, the residents urged authorities to take similar and decisive action against all forms of gambling.
They demanded strict monitoring of snooker clubs,cockfighting and pigeon flying arenas, as well as a crackdown on illegal online gambling applications operating freely on mobile phones.They stressed awareness campaigns were equally important.
Parents,educational institutions, and community must play an active role in guiding youth towards productive activities, skill development, and lawful sources of income.
Unless timely measures were taken,gambling in its various forms will continue to lure young people toward financial ruin, undermining the future of South Punjab’s next generation, they concluded.