Pakistan’s finance minister outlines shift to regulated virtual assets and priority uses for tokenisation

Aurangzeb delivered these points during international engagements in New York. At the UN Digital Cooperation Day 2026 panel focused on blockchain and tokenised digital public infrastructure, he emphasised practical use-cases for tokenisation rather than abstract or speculative applications. He presented Pakistan's policy direction as a shift toward a regulated environment for virtual assets.

Practical uses Aurangzeb highlighted

• Cheaper remittances: Tokenisation was described as a mechanism that could reduce the cost of cross-border remittances, an important source of foreign exchange for Pakistan.
• SME financing: Aurangzeb identified small and medium-sized enterprises as potential beneficiaries of tokenised instruments that could expand access to credit.
• Sovereign debt: Tokenisation could be applied to sovereign instruments, suggesting possible operational or access improvements in government debt issuance or management.
• Broader financial access: Overall, tokenisation was positioned as a way to bring more people and businesses into the formal financial system.

The minister framed the policy direction as a transition to a regulated framework for virtual assets. That signals attention to legal and oversight arrangements alongside adoption of new technologies. The emphasis on regulation suggests the government intends to balance innovation with safeguards, although the report does not detail specific regulatory measures or timelines.

International context and climate commitments

Aurangzeb also used the New York engagements to reaffirm Pakistan's commitment to climate action and to implementing its national climate priorities. The comments link Pakistan's digital finance agenda with its broader international obligations and diplomatic outreach.

Tokenisation and virtual-asset frameworks are important for countries aiming to modernise payment systems, reduce transaction costs, and widen financial inclusion. Pakistan's focus on concrete use-cases — remittances, SME lending, sovereign debt, and inclusion — frames digital assets as instruments for economic policy rather than ends in themselves. The regulatory pivot suggests the government is preparing to set rules that could shape how fintech and traditional finance interact in Pakistan.

The published account is a concise report of the minister's remarks. It does not include details on the proposed regulatory architecture, implementation timeline, specific pilot projects, or consultations with domestic stakeholders. It also does not provide quantitative targets for remittance cost reductions or SME financing increases.

Pakistan's finance minister presented a clear policy direction: adopt a regulated approach to virtual assets and prioritise tokenisation projects that address everyday financial needs. The comments position digital finance reforms within Pakistan's broader international commitments, including climate priorities.