Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program (PMYP), Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, has underscored the growing importance of e-sports as a strategic tool for youth empowerment during a series of engagements across the United Kingdom.
His visit focused on strengthening collaboration in humanitarian service, innovation, digital skills, and e-sports, while promoting Pakistan’s positive image on the global stage.
During a visit to the Muslim Hands Open Kitchen in Hounslow, Rana Mashhood praised the initiative as a remarkable contribution by overseas Pakistanis to humanity.
He described the project as modest in scale but profound in impact, noting that its dignified and uninterrupted food service reflects the compassion and commitment of Pakistani communities abroad.
He highlighted that the Open Kitchen has earned recognition from national and international organizations, including formal acknowledgment by the British Government, and projects a positive image of Pakistan across the UK and Europe.
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Commending Muslim Hands’ extensive work in Pakistan in education, welfare, and youth empowerment through sports, he termed the Hounslow center a symbol of discipline, seriousness, and sustained humanitarian service that strengthens Pakistan’s global goodwill and credibility.
A key highlight of the visit was Rana Mashhood’s meeting with Chester King, President of British e-sports, where discussions centered on collaboration in e-sports policy development, digital skills, curriculum design, and institutional strengthening.
Both sides emphasized structured knowledge exchange to support Pakistan’s emerging e-sports ecosystem. Potential collaboration with the British Council was discussed to integrate digital skills, game development, and e-sports management into PMYP initiatives.
Support was also sought for establishing the Pakistan e-sports Federation as a sustainable body guided by international governance standards, alongside exposure visits for the Prime Minister’s Task Force on e-sports.
Opportunities for joint tournaments and international events were explored to provide Pakistani youth with global exposure and professional networking, with Rana Mashhood inviting Chester King to visit Pakistan for upcoming national e-sports initiatives.
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Rana Mashhood emphasized that e-sports is no longer merely entertainment but a fast-growing global industry offering meaningful career pathways in innovation, entrepreneurship, and the digital economy.
He noted that e-sports can link Pakistani youth with global opportunities, foster competitiveness, and position Pakistan as an emerging player in the international e-sports landscape.
Engaging with youth diaspora members and students from Oxford and Cambridge universities, the PMYP chairman highlighted that nearly 70 percent of Pakistan’s population is under 30, making youth the country’s greatest strategic asset.
He outlined PMYP’s 4Es Framework; Education, Employment, Engagement, and Environment, and detailed flagship initiatives, including the Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Scheme, PEEF scholarships, youth skills programs in AI, data science, and blockchain, and the Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme.
He encouraged diaspora youth to mentor startups and contribute to innovation, reaffirming that PMYP is a national movement uniting Pakistani youth at home and abroad for a brighter future.
