Govt appoints Bilal Bin Saqib as chief adviser to minister on Crypto Council

LONDON/ISLAMABAD: The Government of Pakistan has appointed Bilal Bin Saqib, MBE, as 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 Finance Ministry has been pleased to appoint Mr Bilal Bin Saqib as Chief Advisor to the Finance Minister on Pakistan Crypto Council in Finance Division, in terms of Establishment Division’s OMNo1/11/2018(ii)-E-6, dated 09.04.2024, with immediate effect and until further orders.”

Bilal Bin Saqib is an adviser and investor in the Web3 sector. Having represented Pakistan several times at the international stage including at NFT NYC, World Economic Forum and ETH Barcelona and Token 2049 events, he is a global thought leader in the block chain space. His expertise spans tokenizing real-world assets, DeFi, DAOs, AI and Institutional & Enterprise Block chain, actively shaping the trajectory of top-tier block chain projects. He has played a key role in introducing block chain projects in Pakistan, leading education and awareness of block chain in the country.

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb welcomed the appointment of Bilal Bin Saqib 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 Bin Saqib underscored: “With nearly 70 percent 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 block chain, 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.”