E-Sports Set to Join Pakistan’s National Sports System with Federation and First Championship
Pakistan is planning a national esports policy that would bring competitive gaming into the country’s formal sports system. The Pakistan national esports policy would create a dedicated federation and a first National E-Sports Championship, opening new opportunities for young people to compete professionally. The plan includes a dedicated e-sports federation and a first National E-Sports Championship.
The plans were laid out in a written reply from the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, answering a question from MNA Muhammad Farooq Sattar in the National Assembly.
The Prime Minister has formed a Task Force on E-Sports, headed by the Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme. The Ministry of Information Technology has formally notified the task force, which includes members from public and private sector organisations.
What the Pakistan National Esports Policy Would Do
The policy aims to give competitive gaming an organised structure. A federation would regulate and promote the sector, while the national championship would create a formal pathway for players to rise through the ranks.
The Pakistan Sports Board is backing the task force and has already helped organise e-sports events at the Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad.
Separately, the ministry and the Sports Board have placed 20 e-gaming systems in five Islamabad public schools for Rs9.10 million, aiming to introduce students to competitive gaming.
This Builds on a Policy Already in the Works
The latest announcement is not the first step. According to APP reporting carried by UrduPoint, the federal cabinet approved Pakistan’s first National E-sports Policy in July 2026, developed by the same task force under PM Youth Programme Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan.
That policy aimed to strengthen the digital economy, create jobs and position Pakistan as a regional e-sports hub, with the Esports Federation of Pakistan as its governance core.
The October 20 reply is therefore the implementation phase of a cabinet decision that already exists.
Why Pakistan Has a Case for This
Pakistan’s gaming credentials are real. As The Express Tribune reported, Arslan “Arslan Ash” Siddique has won multiple Evolution Championship Series (EVO) titles in Tekken — the world’s biggest fighting game tournament — and fellow Pakistani Atif Butt has reached finals at the same event.
An estimated 60 million Pakistanis are involved in e-sports directly or indirectly, according to the government. That is an enormous base of players with no formal structure around them.
Competitive gaming is also a recognised discipline at major multi-sport events. Esports featured at the Asian Games, and Pakistan’s young players already chase these arenas — as seen at this year’s Asian Games, where the country’s athletes brought home medals.
What It Means for Young Gamers
A federation means recognition: selection trials, training camps, funding and the chance to represent Pakistan internationally.
The school programme is the long game. Putting gaming systems into public schools normalises e-sports as a pursuit, the way cricket kits in schools have always done for conventional sport.
For everyday players, making a phone run games smoothly remains the first hurdle, while mobile cricket titles like PSL games show how deep gaming culture already runs in the country. Hardware is moving just as fast: gaming phones like the Red Magic 12 Pro+ now ship with 185Hz displays built for competitive play. The policy now has to meet that culture halfway — with structure, not just slogans.
The original report was published by ProPakistani.
FAQs
What is the Pakistan national esports policy?
It is a planned government framework that would bring competitive gaming into Pakistan’s formal sports system, with a dedicated federation, a National E-Sports Championship and structured support for players.
Has the policy been approved?
The federal cabinet approved Pakistan’s first National E-sports Policy in July 2026. The October 2026 parliamentary reply outlines the next implementation steps, including the federation and the first national championship.
Who heads the e-sports task force?
The Prime Minister formed a Task Force on E-Sports headed by the Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, with members from public and private sector organisations. The Ministry of IT has formally notified it.
What has the government done for e-sports in schools?
The Pakistan Sports Board has provided 20 e-gaming systems to five public schools in Islamabad at a cost of Rs9.10 million, aiming to introduce students to competitive gaming.
