RAWALPINDI – In a landmark meeting underscoring Pakistan’s growing commitment to technological transformation, Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff, met with Bilal Bin Saqib, CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), at General Headquarters (GHQ) to discuss the strategic future of the country’s digital economy. At the heart of their conversation was the shared vision of empowering Pakistan’s youth through advanced technologies such as blockchain, cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence (AI).
This high-level discussion marks a significant step in aligning national leadership with the ambitions of Pakistan’s tech-forward generation. Saqib emphasized the need for urgent action to capitalize on digital trends, stating, “The Pakistan Crypto Council exists because our youth demand a seat at the global tech table. We are building for a generation that sees digital finance, decentralization, and AI not as threats—but as opportunities to lead, innovate, and uplift the nation.”
Saqib provided updates on PCC’s recent progress, including strategic international engagements, consultations with regulators, and youth-focused initiatives. He also mentioned the pivotal visit of World Liberty Financial and Binance founder Changpeng Zhao to Pakistan—part of PCC’s broader effort to position Pakistan as a serious player in global crypto and blockchain ecosystems. A detailed roadmap was also shared, one aimed at accelerating innovation while creating scalable opportunities within Pakistan’s rapidly evolving digital finance landscape.
This meeting comes at a time of intensified government action on digital assets. On Wednesday, the Ministry of Finance unveiled a comprehensive framework for regulating Pakistan’s virtual asset economy. A central component of this initiative is the establishment of the Pakistan Digital Assets Authority (PDAA)—a regulatory body tasked with overseeing blockchain-based financial infrastructure and virtual asset operations.
Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb emphasized the significance of this move, saying, “Pakistan stands at the threshold of a digital transformation. With the establishment of the PDAA, we are committed to creating a secure, innovative, and inclusive ecosystem for virtual assets.” He further outlined a vision where Pakistan becomes a regional leader in blockchain regulation, digital finance, and youth-driven innovation.
The PDAA is expected to play a central role in formalizing and regulating Pakistan’s massive $300 billion informal crypto market. Among its mandates are the tokenization of national assets and government debt, providing legal clarity for investors, and monetizing surplus electricity through regulated Bitcoin mining. The authority also aims to foster economic inclusion, facilitate youth-led blockchain solutions, and promote best practices in digital innovation.
Pakistan’s broader national strategy includes allocating surplus electricity for Bitcoin mining and AI data centers—steps designed to establish the country as a hub for digital infrastructure in the region. These policy shifts reflect the government’s recognition of the digital economy’s transformative potential.
Bilal Bin Saqib’s upcoming appearance at the Bitcoin 2025 Conference in Las Vegas further cements Pakistan’s growing influence on the global crypto stage. He is scheduled to share the stage with prominent figures such as U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Michael Saylor (MicroStrategy), and David Sacks, among others. The event will spotlight Pakistan’s unique demographic edge and the proactive steps it is taking to lead digital innovation in South Asia.
With a youthful population where 70% are under the age of 30 and more than 50,000 IT graduates entering the workforce annually, Pakistan presents one of the most promising emerging markets for blockchain adoption. The country is already home to over 50 million crypto users and consistently ranks among the top five globally for crypto adoption.
“The time to act is now,” Saqib said. “Pakistan’s youth are not just future participants—they are today’s drivers of change. Our mission is to equip them with the tools, education, and global platforms they need to lead.”
The Pakistan Crypto Council remains a key national player in crypto policy, youth empowerment, and international innovation advocacy, as the country accelerates toward a more inclusive, digitized future.
