Bilal bin Saqib appointed SAPM on Blockchain, Crypto with Minister of State status

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appointed Bilal bin Saqib as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Blockchain and Crypto, granting him the status of Minister of State. This move is seen as a step forward in Pakistan’s push to integrate cryptocurrency and blockchain technologies into its digital economy.

Saqib’s appointment follows his recent role as Chief Advisor to the Finance Minister for the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), where he also serves as the CEO. 

His expertise in blockchain technology and Web3 investments has earned him recognition from Forbes, and he is a recipient of the prestigious 1632nd Points of Light Award, given by the British Prime Minister for his impactful work. 

In 2023, Saqib was honored with an MBE (Member of the British Empire) for his contributions to the UK’s National Health Service.

The timing of Saqib’s appointment aligns with Pakistan’s broader plans to leverage its surplus energy for digital infrastructure. On Sunday, the government announced the allocation of 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity to support Bitcoin mining and AI data centers, marking the first phase of a national strategy aimed at transforming surplus energy into valuable assets. 

This initiative, managed by the Pakistan Strategy and Coordination Council (PSCC) under the Ministry of Finance, is expected to attract foreign investment and boost the country’s position in the global digital market.

Saqib emphasized that this energy-backed transformation offers significant investment opportunities and will allow Pakistan to generate foreign exchange by engaging in Bitcoin mining. 

He further explained that the government could potentially accumulate Bitcoin in a national wallet, moving away from selling power in local currency (PKR) and instead holding digital assets to ensure long-term economic stability.

Additionally, the government has recently announced the formation of the Pakistan Digital Assets Authority (PDAA) to regulate blockchain-based financial infrastructure, a key component in the country’s digital strategy.