HUM Network and IGNITE bring nation’s biggest gaming & animation hub “CEGA”

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan steps into the future with a landmark initiative for the country’s creative and digital landscape. A groundbreaking collaboration between Ignite National Technology Fund (under the Ministry of IT & Telecom) and HUM Network Limited has given birth to the Center of Excellence in Gaming & Animation (CEGA). This platform is a bold step toward transforming Pakistan into a regional powerhouse of digital innovation.

At a high-profile signing ceremony held at the Ministry of IT, the vision of a technologically empowered, creatively unleashed Pakistan came one giant leap closer to reality. The event was attended by Federal Minister for IT & Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja, leadership from Ignite and HUM Network, and several dignitaries, all gathered to mark this ambitious new chapter.

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“This isn’t just an MoU. It is a mission,” said Shaza Khawaja. “The Center of Excellence in Gaming and Animation is a crucial pillar of our commitment to Pakistan’s digital future. We are investing not just in technology, but in people, their skills, their dreams, and their ability to lead globally.”

With CEGA, the government is doing more than making promises, she said, adding that it is building real platforms.

Over the next five years, 200 startups will be incubated through CEGA, receiving mentorship, funding, and market access. Alongside, 10,000 youth will be trained in cutting-edge gaming, animation, and interactive media skills through intensive courses and workshops. To fuel collaboration, the center will house a state-of-the-art co-working space with 100 free seats, offering fertile ground for innovation to flourish.

Speaking with the passion of a creator and the foresight of an entrepreneur, HUM Network CEO Duraid Qureshi said, “This isn’t just about technology. This is about people and their stories. CEGA is where ideas are born, where talent becomes tangible. We are building more than a center. We are building a creative revolution.”

And indeed, the impact is expected to go far beyond classroom walls and co-working desks. The ripple effect of CEGA is aimed at positioning Pakistan as a serious contender in the global gaming and animation industry, fostering an ecosystem that blends talent, technology, and entrepreneurship.

Ignite CEO Rafique A Buriro said, “CEGA will give our youth the tools they need to not just participate in the global digital economy, but to lead it. This initiative brings the government’s vision of a strong, creative, and export-oriented digital economy to life.”

Pakistan is home to one of the youngest populations in the world with a generation that is not just tech-savvy but creatively driven. Until now, the avenues for expressing and monetising that creativity were limited. CEGA breaks that barrier. It is the infrastructure of hope, the runway for dreams, and the training ground for world-class creators.

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In the high-stakes world of gaming and animation, where the global industry is worth hundreds of billions of dollars, Pakistan is no longer content to sit on the sidelines. With CEGA, now we will be able to signal to the world: Pakistan is here, and it’s ready to play!

Let the games begin.