ISLAMABAD – The federal government of Pakistan is considering the formation of a National Crypto Council to serve as a dedicated advisory body on digital assets. The decision was made during a high-level meeting led by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on the future of digital assets.
The proposed council will comprise key government representatives, regulatory bodies, and industry experts. The meeting also saw the attendance of foreign delegates, including President Donald Trump’s Advisors on Digital Assets, Minister of State for IT & Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, the Secretary of Finance, and the Secretary of IT & Telecom.
The council’s primary objective will be to oversee policy development, tackle regulatory challenges, and ensure Pakistan’s digital asset ecosystem evolves securely, compliantly, and sustainably. Additionally, the council will collaborate with international partners to establish standardized frameworks for global digital economic engagement.
The discussions revolved around the global growth of cryptocurrency, its rising adoption, and the regulatory measures being implemented worldwide, particularly in line with US government policies. Key areas of focus included financial security, risk management, and the potential economic impact of digital assets on Pakistan.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb stressed the need for a robust regulatory framework for digital assets, which would align Pakistan with international best practices and comply with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) guidelines. The government is committed to exploring the opportunities within digital assets and integrating blockchain technology into Pakistan’s financial sector modernization.
The meeting also touched on the idea of tokenizing key infrastructure and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to increase liquidity, attract broader investor participation, and enhance capital market efficiency. Participants noted that both foreign and local investors have already developed product-ready digital asset solutions that could be explored within a regulatory sandbox.
Pakistan’s digital asset market, with over 20 million active users, faces significant challenges, including high transaction fees. The finance minister emphasized the government’s commitment to regulating the sector by adopting suitable frameworks, laws, and incentives that ensure transparency while fostering digital business growth.
He directed relevant stakeholders to create a comprehensive framework ensuring security, transparency, regulatory compliance, and economic viability, while guarding against financial crimes and illicit activities. The meeting concluded with a consensus on adopting a cautious yet forward-looking approach that ensures digital asset developments align with national interests, FATF guidelines, and global financial standards.
