Bilal Bin Saqib has been appointed as the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Blockchain and Crypto, holding the status of state minister, by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. With this pioneering decision, Pakistan has joined an exclusive group of 7-9 countries, including the United States, El Salvador, and the UAE, that have dedicated leadership for cryptocurrency and blockchain, signaling a bold commitment to spearheading the global digital economy. Saqib also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) and as Chief Advisor to the Finance Minister. As CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council, Bilal has led strategic partnerships and established vital connections between Pakistan and key global technology players. Under his guidance, the Council forged a landmark partnership with World Liberty Financial (WLF) — a decentralized finance platform supported by former US President Donald Trump — to promote blockchain innovation and stablecoin adoption in Pakistan. He also invited Changpeng Zhao (CZ), founder of Binance, appointing him as Strategic Advisor to the PCC to contribute to regulatory development, infrastructure growth, and educational programs for crypto in Pakistan. A graduate of the London School of Economics (LSE) with a Master’s degree in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Saqib has been recognized in Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 for his social impact work. He has also been honored with the prestigious MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by King Charles III. As SAPM, Bilal’s responsibilities will include: ● Developing a comprehensive, FATF-compliant regulatory framework for digital assets ● Launching Bitcoin mining projects ● Overseeing the integration of blockchain technology in governance, finance, and land records ● Facilitating licensing and supervision of virtual asset service providers (VASPs) ● Advocating for investor protection and fostering Web3 ecosystem growth in Pakistan This appointment underscores Pakistan’s commitment to keeping pace with global trends. Similar to how the United States appointed leaders like David Sacks — designated by Trump as the White House AI and Crypto Czar — Pakistan is adopting a forward-looking strategy by empowering a young leader to shape its national approach to emerging technologies. Pakistan is at a pivotal digital juncture.

The country ranks consistently among the top 10 worldwide for crypto adoption, according to the 2023 Chainalysis Global Crypto Adoption Index, with around 40 million crypto users and an annual crypto trading volume exceeding $300 billion. It produces about 40, 000 IT graduates annually and hosts the world’s 4th largest freelancer market. This rapid embrace of emerging technologies, combined with a youthful demographic—over 60% of the population is under 30—positions Pakistan to be a major beneficiary of blockchain and crypto advancements in the next decade. Formulating strategic policies in these areas is not merely an opportunity but a national necessity. Saqib stated: “Pakistan’s unique demographic and digital landscape presents an unparalleled chance to leapfrog into the future of technology—where blockchain and crypto will fuel economic growth, innovation, and global competitiveness. ”