Pakistan’s gaming industry is witnessing unprecedented growth, with over 34 million active gamers across the country, the 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Friday.
The government has announced the establishment of Excellence Centres for Gaming & Animation in Karachi and Lahore to foster the industry’s development.
According to a report presented in the National Assembly by Minister for Information Technology & Telecommunication Shiza Fatima, these centres will provide support to gaming and animation startups.
Over the next five years, 10,000 participants will receive training under this initiative. The centres will be developed with a Rs. 2.5 billion budget through the Ignite National Technology Fund under the Ministry of IT & Telecom.
The official report highlights that Pakistan’s gaming community is expected to reach 45 million by 2025 and exceed 50 million by 2026. Currently, 60% of gamers play on mobile devices, 30% on PCs, and 10% on consoles.
The global market for animation, gaming, and graphics was valued at $626 billion in 2022 and is projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2030.
Meanwhile, Pakistan is set to become one of the fastest-growing video game markets, following Turkey (24.1% CAGR) and ahead of India (18.3%) with a 21.9% growth rate by 2026.
The initiative marks a significant step in positioning Pakistan as a key player in the global gaming economy, providing immense opportunities for young developers, designers, and entrepreneurs.
Reporter: Rozina Ali