Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Muhammad Aurangzeb, visited the Pakistan Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (PVARA) yesterday, where he was briefed on the country’s first formal regulatory framework for virtual assets.
This was Muhammad Aurangzeb’s first official visit in his capacity as the Minister, during which he emphasized that strengthening Pakistan’s regulatory institutions is essential for building trust, promoting investment, and aligning with global trends in the digital economy.
During the meeting, the top leadership of PVARA gave a detailed briefing on the authority’s mandate, policy direction, and the progress made in establishing a comprehensive governance framework for virtual assets. The briefing highlighted the authority’s phased approach aimed at ensuring that regulation of this sector remains aligned with Pakistan’s national priorities, protects consumers, and promotes financial stability.
The Finance Minister was informed that the authority has engaged with national and international stakeholders, prepared regulatory guidelines, and taken steps to establish a transparent and clear virtual assets system, while ensuring full compliance with all legal and procedural requirements.
Muhammad Aurangzeb appreciated the performance of the PVARA team since the establishment of the authority, calling it a reflection of their commitment to fulfilling this important national mandate. He stressed the need for timely implementation, saying that regulatory clarity is vital for safeguarding Pakistan’s economic and financial interests. The Minister also directed his office to immediately resolve any administrative or procedural hurdles faced by the authority and reiterated the government’s full support for PVARA.
He further emphasized that strong regulatory institutions are key to building trust, promoting investment, and ensuring that Pakistan remains aligned with global standards in the digital economy.
PVARA Chairman Bilal bin Saqib stated that this is an important national responsibility, and the authority is being built from the ground up with a “Pakistan First” approach. He said PVARA is fully committed to responsible innovation, strong safeguards, and regulatory clarity. The Finance Minister’s guidance and support will accelerate their work and help Pakistan secure a responsible and prominent position in the emerging digital economy.
A major development for Pakistan on the global virtual assets landscape is that the PVARA Chairman has been appointed as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Digital Asset Regulations Steering Committee—an appointment that strengthens Pakistan’s role in international policy discussions and reflects the country’s growing global recognition in this sector.
At the conclusion of the visit, the government reaffirmed its commitment to responsible innovation, institutional strengthening, and ensuring that Pakistan’s virtual assets strategy remains transparent, secure, and fully compliant with national laws and international best practices
