In a significant move signaling Pakistan’s growing commitment to the digital economy, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appointed Bilal Bin Saqib, CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council, as his Special Assistant on Blockchain and Crypto. The appointment, effective immediately under Rule 4(6) of the Rules of Business, 1973, grants Saqib the status of Minister of State—though notably without a salary or official benefits.
The announcement, reported by Pakistan Observer on May 26, aligns with a series of strategic initiatives by the government to foster innovation in digital assets and blockchain technology. Just a day before Saqib’s appointment, Pakistan allocated 2,000 megawatts of surplus electricity to support Bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence operations—underscoring its intention to become a player in the global crypto and tech space.
Earlier in May, the Ministry of Finance endorsed the creation of the Pakistan Digital Assets Authority (PDAA), a new regulatory body designed to oversee the country’s blockchain-based financial infrastructure. The PDAA will regulate crypto exchanges, custodians, wallets, tokenized platforms, stablecoins, and decentralized finance (DeFi) applications.
Saqib, a London School of Economics graduate and a recipient of the Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) from King Charles III, brings significant international experience to the role. Under his leadership at the Pakistan Crypto Council, he appointed former Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao as an adviser. Saqib has also been recognized in Forbes‘ “30 Under 30” list.
As Special Assistant, Saqib is expected to lead the drafting of Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-compliant crypto regulations, oversee the launch of state-backed Bitcoin mining initiatives, and guide blockchain integration across government sectors including finance and land records.
Pakistan’s increasing investment in crypto continues to attract global attention. In April, World Liberty Financial—a firm backed by former U.S. President Donald Trump—signed a Letter of Intent with the Pakistan Crypto Council to promote crypto adoption in the country. At the time, Federal Investigation Agency Director Sumera Azam described the country’s proposed regulatory framework as “a paradigm shift,” aiming to balance technological innovation with national security.
With this appointment, Pakistan appears poised to play a more assertive role in shaping the future of blockchain and cryptocurrency regulation in South Asia.
