LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for an immediate implementation of a comprehensive, globally aligned regulatory frame­work for the virtual assets sector to boost the country’s digital economy and investor confidence.

He discussed this with Bilal Bin Saqib, the State Minister and Chairman of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA), during a meeting on Friday.

The premier further emphasised the need for targeted initiatives to equip youth with skills in modern technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and digital finance, to align the country’s workforce with future demands.

Mr Saqib briefed the premier on the transition of the PVARA to a fully operational regulator and the launch of a regulatory sandbox. He highlighted that innovation is being introduced in areas such as AI-driven payments and regulated virtual asset services.

He further told the premier that preparations are underway to equip national institutions, build human capital, and strengthen the regulatory framework for the next wave of economic transformation.

The premier was also briefed on the PVARA’s progress, including its transition to an operational regulator, the opening of its regulatory sandbox, and ongoing work on the tokenisation of debt and real-world assets.

Mr Saqib said the country is moving from policy design to execution, with the sandbox enabling responsible innovation in areas such as digital financial infrastructure, government debt instruments, capital market products, AI-enabled payments, and regulated virtual asset services, while ensuring alignment with SBP, SECP, AML and CFT requirements.

It was also emphasised that the world is moving towards AI agents, autonomous systems, machine-to-machine payments, and robotics-driven productivity, making it essential for Pakistan to prepare its institutions, workforce, and regulatory frameworks for the next wave of economic transformation.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026