Pakistan’s SAPM for Crypto and Blockchain Bilal Bin Saqib Resigns

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Minister of State for Crypto and Blockchain, Bilal Bin Saqib, has resigned from his position as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) to ensure compliance with the country’s legal framework.

Under the Rules of Business 1973, an individual cannot serve as SAPM while holding the chairmanship of a regulatory authority. As Bilal Bin Saqib is the current Chairman of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA), he stepped down from the SAPM post.

Bilal Bin Saqib had been appointed SAPM and Minister of State in May 2025, leading Pakistan’s national blockchain strategy and playing a key role in crypto development and policy formulation. The Pakistan Crypto Council continues to work on advancing blockchain and cryptocurrency initiatives at both national and international levels.

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Pakistan has over 50 million crypto users, with an annual trading volume exceeding $30 billion, placing the country among the top five nations globally in crypto adoption.

Bilal Bin Saqib, a London-based business and social leader, has been recognized by King Charles III, former Queen Elizabeth, and the Mayor of London for his contributions. In 2023, he was awarded an MBE for humanitarian services during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing over 100,000 meals to NHS staff and underprivileged communities under the One Million Meals initiative.

He holds a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and founded the social enterprise Tayaba, which introduced the H2O Wheel to address Pakistan’s water crisis.

The resignation ensures adherence to national regulations while allowing him to continue contributing to Pakistan’s crypto and blockchain ecosystem through his role at PVARA.