**Pakistan Moves Towards National Esports Policy in Bid to Boost Youth Engagement and Digital Innovation**
Pakistan has taken a significant step towards formalizing its esports landscape, with efforts underway to introduce the country’s first-ever National Esports Policy. In a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja and Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, representatives from government, industry, and international organizations convened to lay the groundwork for this ambitious initiative.
The session brought together key stakeholders including Member of National Assembly Amna Batool, Secretary of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) Zarrar Hasham Khan, and Deputy Secretary of the PMYP Dr. Muhammad Ali Malik. Notably, the meeting featured the participation of international partners, with Vice President Thomas Dore and Head of Education Kalam Neale representing the British Esports Federation. The Commonwealth Secretariat also contributed, with Head of Social Policy Layne Robinson and Youth Officer Saima Majeed in attendance.
Central to the discussion was the creation of new opportunities for the Pakistani youth, particularly through enhanced engagement in esports, development of digital skills, and fostering innovation-led employment. The initiative aims to establish frameworks for supporting and commercializing locally developed games, positioning Pakistan as a competitive force in the global esports arena.
Stakeholders emphasized the importance of collaboration between public institutions and international organizations to promote sustainable growth within the sector. The proposed National Esports Policy is expected to provide a foundation for robust industry development, encourage youth participation, and unlock economic opportunities linked to the digital economy.
With these concerted efforts, Pakistan is seeking to ‘level up’ its esports ecosystem and empower its youth on both national and international stages.
