Malaysia, Pakistan explore digital finance alliance in push for Sharia-compliant innovation

KARACHI: Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan met with Bilal Bin Saqib, CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council, to explore joint initiatives in blockchain, digital assets and Islamic finance, in a move aimed at deepening regional cooperation in the digital economy, said the Ministry of Finance in a press release on Tuesday.

The meeting focused on establishing a Pakistan-Malaysia digital finance partnership, with both parties agreeing to work towards developing a FATF-compliant, Sharia-aligned framework for digital assets. The initiative is positioned to serve as a model for member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

“Malaysia’s leadership in Islamic finance and Pakistan’s momentum in crypto regulation form a natural alliance,” Saqib said. “Together, we can set global standards for ethical innovation -- from halal stablecoins and tokenised sukuk to compliant sandboxes and youth-focused initiatives.”

The council is leading efforts to create a passportable regulatory structure tailored to emerging markets, balancing innovation with international compliance. Both sides also signalled alignment on cross-border regulatory coordination and the development of Web3 talent and education programmes. The talks mark a step towards a broader economic and technological partnership between the two countries, built around values-driven digital finance.

The meeting follows the recent appointment of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao as a strategic advisor to the Pakistan Crypto Council, underscoring growing international confidence in Pakistan’s role in shaping digital asset policy.