Pakistan’s Online Gaming Community to Reach 45 Million This Year

Pakistan’s online gaming population is expected to reach 45 million by the end of this year, according to a written reply submitted by Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, to the National Assembly. The minister stated that the local gaming industry is rapidly expanding, driven by widespread smartphone adoption, improved digital infrastructure, and a tech-savvy youth population. Currently, the country has over 34 million verified online gamers. Mobile gaming leads the market, with 60 percent of users playing on mobile devices, followed by 30 percent on PCs and 10 percent on consoles. Local game developers are increasingly focusing on global markets in an effort to generate higher financial returns. According to the IT minister, the global video game market was valued at $227.6 billion in 2023, while the broader Animation, Gaming, and Graphics market stood at $626 billion in 2022. Industry projections estimate that the combined market will surpass $1 trillion by 2030. Mobile gaming, which constituted 52 percent of the market in 2022, continues to drive this global expansion due to its affordability and accessibility. A report by the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) for 2022–23 states that the total revenue of Pakistan’s Animation, Gaming, and Graphics sector stands at $300 million, with $157.9 million in exports. The sector employs over 12,000 people and comprises 257 companies. Total investment raised by the industry during the fiscal year 2022–23 was $36 million. The minister further states that the government is taking steps to support the industry, including the establishment of the Center of Excellence in Gaming and Animation (CEGA) in Karachi and Lahore. Funded by the Ignite National Technology Fund under the Ministry of IT and Telecom, the center is allocated a budget of Rs. 2.5 billion and aims to nurture startups and train 10,000 participants over five years.