**Pakistan Advances National Esports Policy with International Support to Bolster Youth Employment and Digital Innovation**
Pakistan’s Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) has taken a significant step toward formulating its first National Esports Policy by hosting a high-level meeting with representatives from the British Esports Federation and the Commonwealth Secretariat. The initiative aims to formalize esports as an economic sector in Pakistan, opening new avenues for youth engagement, skill development, and innovation-driven employment.
The meeting, chaired by Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja and co-chaired by Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) Rana Mashood Ahmed Khan, brought together senior officials and international delegates. Key officials in attendance included Ms. Amna Batool, Member of the National Assembly and PMYP Focal Person; Mr. Zarrar Hasham Khan, Secretary Ministry of IT and Telecom; and Dr. Muhammad Ali Malik, Deputy Secretary, PMYP. The visiting delegation was led by Layne Robinson, Head of Social Policy, Youth & Gender Development at the Commonwealth Secretariat; and Saima Majeed, Youth Officer. The British Esports Federation was represented by Vice President Thomas Dore and Head of Education Kalam Neale.
Federal Minister Shaza Fatima underscored Pakistan’s burgeoning talent in game development, noting that local youth are already publishing titles on international platforms including SEGA and Nintendo. She emphasized the government’s ongoing investments in capacity-building and specialized training, pointing out the urgent need to bridge the commercialization gap. “We have immense young talent; commercialization is the bottleneck. We seek your support to help Pakistani developers reach international markets,” said Minister Shaza.
To address the challenges facing the esports and gaming industry, the Minister outlined a three-pronged approach: developing specialized coursework and training initiatives in game technology, funding programs to drive youth employment, and providing targeted support to commercialize homegrown games. She highlighted the potential of a structured esports ecosystem to foster not only digital literacy but also meaningful employment opportunities for Pakistani youth.
Echoing these views, Chairman PMYP Rana Mashood Ahmed Khan described the collaboration as “a wonderful opportunity to work together on game-tech” and a crucial step toward unlocking the industry’s high potential to benefit young Pakistanis.
The meeting concluded with a mutual pledge to develop an inclusive and forward-looking national esports policy. This policy will be anchored in international best practices and tailored to align with Pakistan’s broader digital and economic aspirations, signaling a new chapter for the country’s gaming and esports sector.
