In a major development signaling Pakistan's growing embrace of emerging technologies, Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff, met with Bilal Bin Saqib, CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), at the General Headquarters (GHQ) to discuss a transformative vision for the country’s digital economy, with a focus on blockchain, cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence (AI).
The high-level engagement underscored the state’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies for economic growth, youth empowerment, and global competitiveness.
Field Marshal Munir’s support marks a significant alignment of military and civilian leadership on the importance of building a tech-driven future for Pakistan.
During the meeting, Bilal Bin Saqib outlined the PCC’s national roadmap, emphasizing youth as the central force in driving digital innovation.
“The Pakistan Crypto Council exists because our youth demand a seat at the global tech table,” he said, highlighting initiatives involving global crypto leaders, regulatory collaboration, and skill development to foster a globally competitive tech generation in Pakistan.
The meeting coincides with the Ministry of Finance's unveiling of a national strategy to regulate digital assets, including the formation of the Pakistan Digital Assets Authority (PDAA). This newly proposed body will regulate a crypto market estimated to exceed $300 billion, and oversee efforts such as tokenization of assets, regulated Bitcoin mining, and the development of blockchain-based financial infrastructure.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb stated that the PDAA aims to make Pakistan a regional hub for blockchain innovation and regulation, offering legal clarity to investors and enabling economic inclusion.
As part of the national strategy, Pakistan plans to allocate part of its surplus electricity to support Bitcoin mining and AI data centers, enhancing the country’s position in digital infrastructure development.
The discussion at GHQ also covered the importance of public-private partnerships, with PCC acting as a bridge between policy, innovation, and youth engagement. With over 50 million crypto users, Pakistan ranks among the top five countries globally in terms of crypto adoption. The country's 240 million-strong population, of which 70% are under 30, provides an ideal demographic for large-scale digital transformation.
This momentum comes ahead of Bilal Bin Saqib’s participation at the Bitcoin 2025 Conference in Las Vegas, where he will share the stage with global tech and political leaders, including U.S. senators, presidential advisers, and blockchain pioneers.
Field Marshal Asim Munir’s backing for PCC and its mission reflects a unified national push toward building a resilient, tech-enabled economy led by Pakistan’s youth. The initiative is seen as a bold step toward embedding the country into the global digital landscape, positioning it as a serious contender in AI, blockchain, and crypto innovation.