Pakistan to Launch First Esports Federation and Game Development Center
ISLAMABAD: The Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, has announced the government’s plan to establish Pakistan’s first Esports Federation along with a Game Development Center. The initiative is aimed at supporting the country’s rapidly growing esports community, with over 50 million young Pakistanis already engaged in esports and related activities.
Youth Empowerment Through Technology and Sports
The announcement was made during the annual performance report of the PMYP, where Rana Mashhood highlighted that the esports initiative is part of a broader youth empowerment strategy focusing on:
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Education
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Sports
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Technology
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Employment
Under this strategy, the Youth Programme also provides scholarships, National Innovation Awards, and skill development opportunities.
Training and Skills Development
As part of the program’s expansion, the government will:
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Train 2 million young people in disaster risk management over the next three years.
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Expand technical training in hospitality, healthcare, and information technology.
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Launch a modern software platform to align youth skills with market demands.
Digital Youth Hub and Esports Integration
The Digital Youth Hub, which already has 600,000 registered users, now offers 100,000 job opportunities through over 3,000 partner organizations. Going forward, Esports Pakistan will be integrated with the Hub, enabling trained esports players and developers to access:
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Internships
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Jobs
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International esports tournaments
Supporting Sports and Game Creators
The Talent Hunt Sports initiative has so far covered 23 different games and will expand further with the establishment of sports academies and sports technology labs. These facilities will not only support traditional athletes but also foster the growth of game developers and esports talent in Pakistan.
Significance of the Initiative
The creation of the Pakistan Esports Federation represents a milestone in recognizing esports as a professional industry and career path. By combining training, technology, and international exposure, the government aims to place Pakistan’s youth at the forefront of both global esports competitions and game development innovation.
