LONDON/ISLAMABAD: The Government of Pakistan has appointed Bilal Bin Saqib MBE as the Chief Adviser to the Finance Minister on the (Pakistan Crypto Council) to reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to embracing technological advancement while ensuring sound policy measures that support the national economy, digital transformation, and a secure, transparent financial system for all.
The notification by the Finance Ministry states: “The Ministry of Finanace has been pleased to appoint Mr Bilal Bin Saqib as Chief Adviser to the Finance Minister on Pakistan Crypto Council in Finance Division, in terms of Establishment Division’s O.M.No.1/11/2018(ii)-E-6, dated 09.04.2024, with immediate effect and until further orders.”
Bilal is an adviser and investor in the Web3 sector. Having represented Pakistan several times on the international stage, including at NFT NYC, the World Economic Forum and ETH Barcelona and Token 2049 events, he is a global thought leader in the blockchain space.
His expertise spans tokenising real-world assets, DeFi, DAOs, AI and Institutional & Enterprise Blockchain, actively shaping the trajectory of top-tier blockchain projects.
He has played a key role in introducing blockchain projects in Pakistan, leading education and awareness of blockchain in the country.
Bilal was included by Forbes in their 30 under 30 list and has been recognised by King Charles III, the late Queen Elizabeth II, and the Mayor of London.
He was also the recipient of the 1632nd Points of Light Award, awarded by the British prime minister to recognise change makers in the country. Bilal received his MBE (Member of the British Empire) in 2023 for contributions to the National Health Service in the UK.
FinMin Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb welcomed the appointment of Bilal and the crucial role his vast expertise and innovative vision was likely to play in guiding Pakistan’s position in the rapidly evolving digital economy.
“Mr. Saqib’s appointment underscores our commitment to embracing emerging technologies while ensuring a secure and transparent financial system. We are confident that his leadership will guide the development of a sound and effective regulatory framework, fostering innovation and sustainable growth in Pakistan’s crypto sector,” he said.
Sharing his perspective on Pakistan’s digital future and his vision for the Pakistan Crypto Council, Bilal underscored: “With nearly 70% of Pakistan’s population under the age of 30, we have a powerful pool of tech-savvy youth ready to drive innovation in the digital space.”
“By adopting a forward-thinking approach to crypto and blockchain, we can attract significant foreign investment, create countless jobs, and pave the way for our youth to shape Pakistan’s economic future.”
“In 2021, we ranked third in global crypto adoption, and we remain in the top 10 today. I believe that, with the right policies and determination, we can firmly place Pakistan on the global crypto map, unlocking the economic opportunities that this industry has to offer.”
The council would be a dedicated advisory body that consists of government representatives, regulatory authorities and industry experts. It would oversee policy development as well as collaborate with countries to develop standardized frameworks.
In his new role, Bilal will lead the council in crafting a robust policy environment that balances regulatory compliance, consumer protection, and innovation.
Bilal, an alumnus of the London School of Economics (LSE) with a Master’s in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, is also the founder of Tayaba Organisation, a not-for-profit organisation working to ease access to water in deprived communities.
In 2021, Bilal’s organisation became the first Pakistani NGO and one of the first globally to raise funds via an NFT fundraiser after concluding a successful fundraiser, raising Rs2 million.
Through this initiative, he also revolutionised fundraising by creating the first-ever non-fungible tokens (NFTs) tied to real-world humanitarian goods.
