pakistan’s Tekken Scene: A Rising Force Battling Visa Barriers
(Image of Sikander “Sikkify” Khan and Nosherwan “Silverfox” Khan at the Pakistani PC Gamers tournament in Lahore, Pakistan, Nov. 2, 2025)
Pakistan is quietly becoming a global powerhouse in the competitive Tekken scene. Despite significant hurdles, a dedicated community and uniquely innovative playstyles are propelling Pakistani players to international recognition. But a persistent challenge – visa restrictions - threatens to stifle this burgeoning talent.
A Nation Forged in the Arcade
For many Pakistani Tekken players, the journey begins not with online matches, but in local arcades. Nineteen-year-old Zaryab Khan, known as “Foxce,” exemplifies this path. He initially spent time simply observing seasoned players before seeking formal mentorship.
“My teacher told me I had to come every day,” Foxce explains. He committed to a rigorous two-hour daily practice schedule, transforming himself into one of the nation’s top competitors. His motivation? To put Rawalpindi on the Tekken map. “No one from Rawalpindi was famous in the scene,” he says.”Now everyone knows that rawalpindi has talent.”
This dedication isn’t unusual. It reflects a deep-seated desire for recognition and a commitment to honing skills within a tight-knit community.
The “Claw” Technique: Innovation Born of Necessity
pakistani Tekken isn’t just about dedication; it’s about adaptation. The unique conditions of local arcades have fostered a distinctive playstyle, most notably the ”claw” technique.
This method involves arching the wrist to attack buttons vertically. Commentator Sikander “Sikkify” Khan explains the origins: ”Our arcade machines would have really stiff buttons, and the playing space was really small.”
The claw technique emerged as a solution, offering faster reaction times, greater accuracy, and a degree of concealment from opponents playing shoulder-to-shoulder. It’s a testament to the ingenuity of Pakistani players, turning limitations into advantages.
International Dreams, Visa realities
Though, even exceptional talent faces a significant obstacle: the Pakistani passport. Ranked 101 out of 104 by The Henley Passport Index, it presents major difficulties in securing visas for international tournaments. Prize pools frequently enough exceed $100,000, representing life-changing opportunities.
This issue came to the forefront in 2019 when Arslan “Ash” Siddique stunned the world by winning the EVO championship – the most prestigious fighting game tournament globally. His victory speech wasn’t just a party; it was a plea.
“There are many other strong players like me in Pakistan waiting for an chance to compete globally,” Siddique declared. He would go on to win six more EVO championships, but the struggle for others continues.
Ahsan Ali, for example, was only able to compete in two out of 18 scheduled tournaments over the past two years. “This difficulty of getting visas is an ongoing problem,” he says. “We only get visa appointments a couple of days before the tournament,” leaving insufficient time for processing.
* The Problem: Limited visa access restricts Pakistani players from gaining international experiance and earning potential.
* The Impact: It hinders the growth of the scene and prevents deserving players from showcasing their skills.
* The Hope: Continued advocacy and potential diplomatic efforts could improve visa access for pakistani esports athletes.
A Future Forged in Competition
despite these challenges, the passion for Tekken in Pakistan remains undiminished. At tournaments like the one in Lahore, players are driven by the dream of following in arslan Ash’s footsteps. They aim to demonstrate that Pakistan’s Tekken dominance isn’t a fleeting moment, but a sustained force.
The future of Pakistani tekken hinges on overcoming these visa hurdles. If given the opportunity, these players are poised to not only compete on the world stage, but to redefine the game itself.
Resources:
* the Henley Passport Index: https://www.henleypassportindex.com/
* EVO Championship Series: https://evo.gg/
