PESHAWAR, May 23: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa home and tribal affairs department on Wednesday directed the Peshawar’s commissioner and capital city police officer to ensure legal action against those involved in cricket betting in their respective areas.

In a statement issued here on Wednesday, the department said betting was a cognizable offence and should be nipped in the bud as it could be catastrophic for the society.

“Betting has rapidly grown over the past few years, while its dens are situated in every locality. It has ruined many families overnight whether they were affluent or ordinary one,” it added.

According to the department, the betting business is operated in highly organised manner. The owner/operator of a betting den is called bookie, while those who stake money is known as punter. The Peshawar bookies are connected with Karachi and Lahore bookies, who are connected with Indian or Dubai bookies. Most of the money ultimately goes to the neighboring country, which is the largest bookies market.

“Money is staked on almost every aspect of match. Hefty amounts are staked on toss prior to match. Figures are played when money is staked whether a team will score with last figures in odd (taaq) or even (juft) numeral. Fancy or session’ is played on 10 over quota. Bhao (rate) are stakes played on the result of the match,” it said.

The department said betting on cricket had assumed a disastrous form of gambling as it was the most popular game with massive emotional following and therefore, people from all walks of life were easily attracted to it which later turned into an incurable addiction.

“Its victims include persons of both wealthy and ordinary families. In every locality, we come across families, who have been financially ruined by unfortunate involvement of any of their action in the evil,” it said.

The home department said in view of its damage to the social fabric, there was an urgent need to make concerted efforts to eradicate cricket betting.

It said there were reports that SHO of the relevant beat officer and rider squad were usually connected with bookies, who received bhatta (extortion money) daily and that it was believed that no bookie could operate in an area without the connivance of the local SHO.

The department asked the relevant SHOs to eradicate cricket betting in their respective areas coupled with action under the maintenance of public order ordinance (MPO) against the culpable people.

“It has become need of the day. It will help eradicate this evil and enhance public image of police,” it said.