- Bilal bin Saqib meets PM Shehbaz in Lahore: PMO.
- The Prime Minister places emphasis on training young people in AI and digital finance.
- AI-based payments, innovation services: PMO.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed authorities to make the regulatory framework for the virtual assets sector fully operational at the earliest, aiming to boost Pakistan’s digital economy and boost investor confidence through alignment with international standards.
The remarks came as Minister of State and Chairman Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) Bilal Bin Saqib visited Prime Minister Shehbaz in Lahore, according to a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
During the meeting, the Prime Minister said special measures should be taken to train the youth in modern technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and digital finance, so that the country’s workforce can be aligned with future needs.
Bilal bin Saqib also briefed the Prime Minister on the operational transition of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority into a regulator, as well as the inauguration of the regulatory sandbox.
The briefing says innovations are being introduced in areas such as AI-based payments and regulated virtual asset services.
He further added that work was underway to prepare national institutions, workforce and regulatory framework for the next wave of economic transformation.
The meeting comes days after the State Bank of Pakistan allowed financial institutions to open accounts for licensed virtual asset service providers.
In its circular, the SBP said, “The Virtual Assets Act, 2026 has been enacted, under which the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) has been established as the statutory authority responsible for licensing, regulating, supervising and monitoring virtual asset activities in Pakistan.
