Pakistan Army and Crypto Council Discuss Digital Economy

RAWALPINDI: Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, convened a significant meeting at General Headquarters (GHQ) with Bilal Bin Saqib, the CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC).

The focal point of their discussion was the trajectory of the nation’s digital economy, with particular emphasis on empowering young individuals through advancements in blockchain technology, cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence.

The assembly highlighted an escalating national dedication to nascent technologies as a means to bolster economic strength and worldwide prominence. A fundamental aspect of the dialogue was the recognition of Pakistani youth as key drivers of this evolution.

Saqib stated, “The Pakistan Crypto Council exists to ensure that our youth have a voice in the global tech arena. We are innovating for a generation that views digital finance, decentralisation, and AI not as menaces, but rather as prospects to spearhead, invent, and uplift the country.”

Saqib provided essential updates on the PCC’s advancement, encompassing the visit by the World Liberty Financial delegation and Binance Founder Changpeng Zhao, regulatory discussions, global partnerships, and a youth-centric strategy to cultivate a digitally proficient and competitive generation on a global scale.

He presented a progressive plan designed to stimulate innovation and broaden opportunities within Pakistan’s burgeoning digital financial landscape.

In a noteworthy stride that aligns with these endeavors, the Ministry of Finance revealed a thorough strategy on Wednesday aimed at overseeing digital assets and catalysing the expansion of Pakistan’s virtual asset economy.

As part of this undertaking, the government has sanctioned the establishment of a specialized entity, known as the Pakistan Digital Assets Authority (PDAA), which will be in charge of supervising blockchain-driven financial infrastructure, as communicated in an official statement issued by the Ministry.

Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb commented, “Pakistan is on the cusp of a digital transformation. Through the establishment of the Pakistan Digital Assets Authority (PDAA), we are dedicated to fostering a dependable, groundbreaking, and accessible environment for virtual assets.”

He further added, “Our goal is to establish Pakistan as a frontrunner in blockchain regulation, digital finance, and responsible innovation, thereby enabling our youth and drawing international investments.”

The PDAA is anticipated to govern an unofficial crypto market valued at $300 billion, support the tokenization of state assets and governmental debt, deliver legal clarity to both international and domestic investors, and facilitate the revenue generation from Pakistan’s excess electricity via regulated Bitcoin mining operations.

Furthermore, the authority seeks to encourage optimal practices for innovation, guarantee financial inclusivity, and empower young individuals and startups to create scalable blockchain-based solutions.

Within the wider context of the national strategy, Pakistan intends to allocate a segment of its additional electricity to Bitcoin mining and AI data centers, thereby positioning itself as a prominent regional center for digital infrastructure.

This dialogue occurs just before Saqib’s scheduled attendance at the Bitcoin 2025 Conference in Las Vegas, where he is slated to present alongside global leaders in cryptocurrency, blockchain architecture, and AI.

The event will host distinguished figures such as US Vice President JD Vance, Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr, Bo Hines, Executive Director of the Presidential Council of Advisers on Digital Assets; David Sacks, The White House AI and Crypto Czar; Michael Saylor, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of MicroStrategy; Senator Cynthia Lummis, US Senate; and Bryan Steil, Member of Congress, US House of Representatives.

Saqib noted, “With the backing of national leadership, we are now advancing decisively. Pakistan’s youth are not only future participants but also the current catalysts for progress. Our aim is to equip them with the necessary tools, education, and platforms to excel on a global scale.”

The Pakistan Crypto Council remains a national force committed to crypto policy, innovation, youth empowerment, and global engagement in crypto and blockchain domains.

Pakistan is home to more than 50 million crypto users, with annual trading volumes surpassing $300 billion. The country consistently holds a position in the top 5 worldwide for crypto adoption, underscoring its robust grassroots involvement with digital assets. Of its 240 million citizens, 70% are under 30 years old.

Pakistan offers a highly conducive demographic landscape for widespread crypto adoption, establishing it as one of the most promising emerging markets for advancements in blockchain and digital finance. Moreover, Pakistan is the third-largest market for freelance workers globally, showcasing its vibrant and entrepreneurial digital workforce.

Annually, more than 50,000 IT graduates enter the workforce, augmenting the nation’s expanding talent pool of tech-literate youth ready to stimulate innovation and engage in the global digital economy.