Lahore: Popular Pakistani YouTuber Saad ur Rehman widely known as Ducky Bhai, remains in custody amid an ongoing investigation into the promotion of illegal gambling applications on social media a case that has sparked widespread attention and speculation.
Contrary to some viral reports claiming that Ducky Bhai has been sentenced to seven years in prison, legal experts confirm that no verdict has been reached. As of now, only an interim charge sheet has been submitted to the court by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and formal trial proceedings have yet to begin.
Ducky Bhai was arrested on August 17, 2025, at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport and has since been in the custody of the NCCIA. His wife, Aroob Jatoi who is also a social media influencer, is currently out on pre-arrest bail but has been summoned again to appear in court on November 3, 2025.
Charge Sheet
The NCCIA submitted a preliminary charge sheet last week in Lahore’s district court, naming Ducky Bhai, Aroob Jatoi, and his manager Subhan as the main accused. The husband of YouTuber Iqra Kanwal has also been declared absconder in the same case.
According to the charge sheet, Ducky Bhai allegedly admitted during interrogation to promoting online gambling platforms such as Binomo and 1xBet, which are banned in Pakistan. Investigators claim he earned hundreds of millions of rupees through these activities, with two of his bank accounts reportedly holding over Rs 210 million.
Authorities further allege that he acted as a “country manager” for the gambling platforms, using his large social media following to attract unsuspecting users to fraudulent investment and betting apps. His wife and manager are also accused of being involved in the promotional campaigns.
Legal analysts say that if the charges which include money laundering, illegal gambling promotion and dissemination of potentially obscene content are proven, Ducky Bhai could face up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to Rs 10 million. However, legal proceedings are still in early stages and a final judgment has not yet been issued.
Renowned journalist Mohammad Umair clarified that reports of a confirmed 7-year jail sentence are premature. “No conviction has occurred. The court has only received an interim charge sheet. The case is under investigation, and no final ruling has been made,” he said in a statement posted on social media.
Proceedings So Far
Earlier this month, a Lahore Court rejected Ducky Bhai’s bail plea, with the FIA presenting what it described as “damning evidence” linking him directly to the promotion of illegal betting apps and causing substantial financial losses to the public.
During questioning, Ducky reportedly admitted to promoting gambling apps without verifying their legality and expressed regret over the consequences of his actions. His legal team maintains that he and his associates were unaware of the fraudulent nature of the apps and are being wrongfully implicated.
As public interest in the case continues to grow, opinions remain divided with fans defending the influencer, while others call for strict legal action. With the FIA intensifying its investigation and the court showing little leniency, the high-profile case remains a focal point in Pakistan’s evolving digital regulatory landscape.
