Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired an important meeting in Lahore on May 1, 2026, with Bilal bin Saqib, who serves as Minister of State and Chairman of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized the urgent need to establish a strong, effective, and globally compliant regulatory system for virtual assets. He directed authorities to fully operationalize the framework as soon as possible, stating that such measures are essential to promote Pakistan’s digital economy and build investor confidence.
Shehbaz Sharif highlighted that Pakistan must move quickly to align itself with global trends in financial technology. He stressed that a transparent and well-regulated virtual assets sector can open new opportunities for innovation, attract foreign investment, and support sustainable economic growth.
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The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of preparing the country’s youth for future challenges. He called for special initiatives to train young people in modern technologies, particularly in artificial intelligence and digital finance. According to him, equipping the workforce with these skills will help Pakistan remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global economy.
During the briefing, Bilal bin Saqib informed the Prime Minister about the transition of the authority into a fully operational regulatory body. He also shared updates on the launch of a regulatory sandbox, which will allow controlled testing of new financial technologies and services.
Officials noted that innovation is already underway in areas such as AI-driven payment systems and regulated virtual asset services. Efforts are also being made to strengthen institutions, upgrade the workforce, and modernize the regulatory framework.
The meeting reflects the government’s commitment to embracing digital transformation and positioning Pakistan as a forward-looking economy ready to benefit from emerging financial technologies.
