Islamabad — The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) convened a high-level meeting with the Commonwealth Secretariat and the British Esports Federation to develop Pakistan’s first National Esports Policy and support the establishment of the Pakistan Esports Federation. The initiative aims to unlock new opportunities for youth engagement, digital skills development, and innovation-driven employment.
The meeting was chaired by Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, with co-chairmanship from Mr. Rana Mashood Ahmed Khan, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP). Key attendees included MNA and PMYP Focal Person Ms. Amna Batool, Ministry Secretary Mr. Zarrar Hasham Khan, and Dr. Muhammad Ali Malik, Deputy Secretary at PMYP.
The Commonwealth Secretariat delegation was led by Mr. Layne Robinson, Head of Social Policy, Youth & Gender Development, alongside Youth Officer Ms. Saima Majeed. The British Esports Federation was represented by Vice President Mr. Thomas Dore and Head of Education Mr. Kalam Neale.
Minister Khawaja highlighted Pakistan’s burgeoning game development sector, noting contributions from young developers to international platforms such as SEGA and Nintendo. She identified commercialization as the main barrier and sought international support to help Pakistani developers access global markets.
To overcome these challenges, the minister proposed a threefold approach: integrating academic courses and training in game technology, establishing funding mechanisms to enhance youth employment, and creating pathways for commercializing locally developed games.
Chairman PMYP Rana Mashood Ahmed Khan emphasized the initiative’s importance, describing it as a prime opportunity to harness the economic potential of esports for Pakistan’s youth.
The meeting concluded with a collective commitment from all stakeholders to craft an inclusive and forward-looking esports policy aligned with international standards, supporting Pakistan’s broader digital transformation and economic development goals.
