The Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) has taken another step in shaping the country’s digital finance and virtual assets landscape by holding a high-level meeting with a delegation from the United Arab Emirates at the Prime Minister’s Office. The discussions centered on advancing Pakistan’s agenda on real-world asset tokenisation, a concept that is increasingly gaining attention globally as governments and financial institutions explore blockchain-based models for asset management and investment.
According to details shared after the meeting, talks focused on the tokenisation of real estate, government-owned assets and future debt instruments. These initiatives are being considered within a structured and regulated framework, reflecting Pakistan’s intent to ensure that innovation in the virtual assets space proceeds alongside governance, oversight and investor safeguards. Officials indicated that the objective is to explore practical use cases of tokenisation that align with national economic priorities and international regulatory standards.
The meeting was chaired by PVARA Chairman Bilal Bin Saqib and attended by senior officials of the Authority. The UAE delegation included representatives from the DAMAC Group, a major real estate developer based in the Gulf region, and PRYPCO, its Dubai Financial Services Authority licensed and regulated real estate fintech platform. The presence of a DFSA-regulated entity highlighted the emphasis placed on compliance and regulatory credibility in discussions around cross-border digital asset initiatives.
Participants discussed the potential of tokenisation as an economic tool capable of activating dormant or underutilised assets within Pakistan’s economy. By converting physical or traditionally illiquid assets into digital tokens, authorities believe it may be possible to widen access to investment opportunities, improve liquidity and enhance transparency in ownership and transactions. The discussions also explored how such models could help attract foreign capital and investment from overseas Pakistanis, without placing additional fiscal pressure on the government.
Officials stressed that tokenisation, if implemented under a clear regulatory structure, could support transparency and accountability rather than create new financial risks. The approach under consideration focuses on private capital mobilisation and market-driven participation, rather than relying on public spending or sovereign guarantees. This distinction was highlighted as an important element of Pakistan’s broader economic reform and digital finance strategy.
During the meeting, PVARA briefed the UAE delegation on Pakistan’s evolving virtual assets regulatory framework. The Authority outlined its approach to encouraging innovation while maintaining strong standards of governance, investor protection and market transparency. Particular emphasis was placed on the role of tokenisation in transforming illiquid assets into regulated and investable financial instruments, making them accessible to a wider pool of investors while remaining aligned with international norms.
PVARA officials noted that global interest in real-world asset tokenisation has increased as regulators and market participants seek alternatives to traditional financing structures. In this context, Pakistan is examining how similar models could be adapted locally, taking into account domestic legal, financial and institutional realities. The engagement with UAE-based stakeholders was described as part of a broader effort to learn from regional experiences and best practices.
The UAE delegation was led by Amira Hussain Sajwani, Co-Managing Director of DAMAC Group and Chief Executive Officer of PRYPCO. The delegation shared insights into the use of regulated fintech platforms in real estate and asset-backed digital solutions, drawing on the UAE’s experience in developing compliant digital finance ecosystems. The exchange of views highlighted potential areas for future collaboration, particularly in knowledge sharing and regulatory alignment.
The meeting reflects Pakistan’s increasing engagement with digital finance and blockchain-related policy discussions at a regional level. As PVARA continues to shape the country’s virtual assets framework, dialogues with international stakeholders are expected to play a key role in defining how emerging technologies can be integrated into Pakistan’s financial system in a controlled and sustainable manner.
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