LAHORE: Advisor to the Federal Finance Minister, Khurram Schehzad, underscored Pakistan’s evolving role in the digital economy and its focus on creating an enabling environment for emerging technologies during a Fireside Chat at the 27th ITCN Asia held at the Expo Center, Lahore. The session, titled “Tokenizing the Sovereign Assets – Liquidity Ready,” highlighted key government initiatives aimed at integrating digital assets and modern financial instruments into the national economy.
Schehzad emphasized that the government’s primary responsibility in the digital economy is to facilitate innovation and support a framework that encourages private sector engagement. He noted that empowering youth and opening avenues in modern financial and digital sectors remains a central policy priority. “We are looking at mechanisms that allow Pakistan’s youth and investors to participate actively in emerging markets such as cryptocurrencies and tokenized assets,” he said.
Drawing attention to global trends, Schehzad highlighted that Bitcoin has a capped global supply of nearly 21 million units, making it a critical reference point in discussions on digital finance and asset tokenization. He also indicated that crypto mining activities are already underway in Pakistan, reflecting growing domestic engagement with blockchain-based technologies and financial innovation.
On sovereign initiatives, Schehzad revealed that the Ministry of Finance plans to tokenize a portion of domestic debt worth $2 billion in the first phase. The initiative aims to tap retail investors, broaden participation in public finance instruments, and enhance liquidity in Pakistan’s financial system. This represents a significant step towards integrating blockchain solutions with traditional government debt instruments.
Regarding regulatory frameworks, Schehzad acknowledged that Pakistan remains at an early stage in understanding and regulating digital assets. He highlighted the importance of developing dedicated structures to oversee crypto and tokenization activities responsibly. “We are closely observing global examples, such as the UAE, which has implemented structured mechanisms for virtual assets. Pakistan is learning from these models and moving cautiously to ensure balanced growth,” he said.
The session concluded with discussions on the importance of harmonizing innovation-friendly regulations with global best practices. Schehzad stressed that responsible policymaking and careful regulatory design are essential for Pakistan to capitalize on opportunities in digital finance and sovereign asset tokenization, while mitigating risks associated with emerging technologies.
The ITCN Asia event served as a platform for policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators to explore the intersection of technology, finance, and investment, with Pakistan positioning itself to embrace blockchain and tokenization as tools for sustainable economic development.
Follow the PakBanker Whatsapp Channel for updates across Pakistan’s banking ecosystem.