Bilal Bin Saqib calls for Global South role in technology decisions

Pakistan's Minister of State and chairman of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, Bilal Bin Saqib, has called for countries in the Global South to play a greater role in shaping technology and financial systems rather than remaining only users of new technologies.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, Saqib made the remarks while addressing a high-level forum on social business, youth and technology held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. 

The event brought together international leaders, young people and technology and social-business experts to discuss inclusive development and the role of technology.

He said the Global South needed to move from being a consumer of technology to becoming part of the decision-making process that determines how new technologies are developed, regulated and used.

Saqib highlighted the importance of artificial intelligence, tokenisation and digital finance in expanding access to financial services. 

He said emerging economies had an opportunity to use these technologies to improve financial inclusion and widen access to capital.

Saqib was appointed Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Blockchain and Crypto, with the status of a minister of state, in May 2025.

The Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority was established as the country's regulator for the virtual assets sector. In 2025, Saqib also became chairman of the authority, which is responsible for developing the regulatory framework for virtual assets and related services in Pakistan.