PASHA recently hosted a high-level esports delegation from the British Esports Federation and Commonwealth Secretariat, in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), to strengthen Pakistan’s position in the global gaming ecosystem. The visit took place on July 29, 2025, at the PASHA Secretariat located in Daftarkhwan Alpha (NASTP), focusing on policy development, digital skills advancement, and youth engagement through gaming.
The core objective of the visit was to support the creation of Pakistan’s first-ever National Esports Policy and facilitate the formation of the Pakistan Esports Federation. These steps aim to establish a structured foundation for the country’s growing gaming industry, ensuring long-term benefits such as youth empowerment, economic inclusion, and skill development in digital and creative sectors.
The delegation was received by Ali Hasani, Secretary General PASHA, while Raheel Iqbal, Vice Chairman PASHA and Chair of the Gaming Subcommittee, presented PASHA’s vision for developing the esports and gaming landscape in Pakistan. The session included strategic discussions on potential areas of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and institutional support from Commonwealth and UK esports entities.
Representing the British Esports Federation were Thomas Andrew Dore, Vice President, and Kalam Antol Neale, Head of Education, who shared their experiences on esports integration in youth education and community development. From the Commonwealth Secretariat, Layne Robinson, Head of Social Policy Development (SPD), and Saima Majeed, Youth Officer, emphasized the role of esports in youth empowerment across member nations.
PMYP was represented by Rehan Muneer Malik, Focal Person to the Chairman PMYP on Sports, Dr. Muhammad Ali Malik, Deputy Secretary, and Arsalan Ahmed, Program Coordinator. Their participation underscored the government’s active involvement in developing esports as a mainstream avenue for youth development and economic contribution.
The event also featured leading local game studios including Algoryte, WeRPlay, and Funsol Games, who engaged with the delegation to share ground realities and opportunities for growth in Pakistan’s gaming sector. From PASHA’s Skills Development team, Aleem Abbas and Syeda Safa H. also contributed to the dialogue, highlighting workforce development needs and industry readiness.
This initiative reflects a growing recognition of esports as a serious economic and social opportunity for Pakistan. With aligned efforts from PMYP, PASHA, global esports entities, and local studios, the country is steadily laying the groundwork for a vibrant and inclusive esports ecosystem.
