Pakistan moves to draft first esports policy to boost digital economy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has taken a step towards formalising its growing esports industry, as government officials and international partners agreed to develop the country’s first national esports policy.

The decision followed a high-level meeting between the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), the Commonwealth Secretariat, and the British Esports Federation. The goal is to craft a policy that supports economic growth, creates job opportunities for young people, and aligns with global standards.

Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, who chaired the meeting, said the policy aims to turn Pakistan’s emerging game development talent into a competitive global force. “Our youth are already creating games for platforms like SEGA and Nintendo,” she said. “What we lack is commercial access. We need international support to bridge this gap and help our developers scale up.”

The government is proposing a three-pronged strategy: introducing game-tech education and training, supporting youth-led innovation, and promoting the commercialisation of locally developed games.

The meeting also included Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), Rana Mashood Ahmed Khan, who called the move a “strategic push” to unlock digital employment potential. “This is a great opportunity to collaborate on game technology and create new economic pathways for our young population,” he said.

Representatives from both the Commonwealth Secretariat and British Esports Federation pledged their support. Layne Robinson, Head of Social Policy, Youth and Gender Development at the Commonwealth, and British Esports Vice President Thomas Dore, were among those present.

The parties agreed to move forward with the creation of a national esports federation and a policy framework that reflects international best practices.

The initiative is seen as part of Pakistan’s wider digital transformation agenda and an attempt to tap into the fast-growing global gaming industry.

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