ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is drafting its first esports policy and establishing a national federation to support game developers and a gaming community of about 60 million Pakistanis, state media reported on Tuesday.
The report comes after Pakistan sought support from British Esports Federation and Commonwealth Secretariat in July to help shape the effort.
Esports is a fast-growing, multibillion-dollar global industry involving organized and competitive video gaming, where individuals or teams compete in professional tournaments for prize money, sponsorships and international recognition.
Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, announced the development at a ceremony in Islamabad.
“Around 60 million Pakistanis are directly or indirectly involved in esports and the new policy will also support game developers and digital innovators,” he was quoted as saying by the Radio Pakistan broadcaster.
