Bilal Bin Saqib, Pakistan’s Minister of State for Crypto and Blockchain, has resigned from his post as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM). He stepped down to comply with existing bureaucratic regulations, according to information obtained by The Express Tribune.
Rumours about the potential shutdown of the crypto ministry circulated on WhatsApp on Tuesday. A staffer familiar with the changes clarified the situation, stating, “The crypto developments for Pakistan are still ongoing, and the minister is speaking at Binance Blockchain Week on Wednesday, December 3, in Dubai.”
Saqib submitted his resignation due to a conflict outlined in the Rules of Business 1973. These rules prohibit an individual from serving as a Special Assistant to the Prime Minister while simultaneously holding the chairmanship of a statutory regulatory authority.
Bilal Bin Saqib currently chairs the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA). He was appointed as SAPM on Blockchain and Crypto with the status of Minister of State in May 2025.
In this role, he led Pakistan’s national blockchain strategy and played a key part in establishing the very regulatory authority he now chairs.
Pakistan’s Crypto Landscape Remains Active
Despite the ministerial resignation, the Pakistan Crypto Council continues its operations. Formally established earlier this year, it functions as a national body driving crypto policy, innovation, youth empowerment, and international engagement.
Pakistan represents a massive and promising market for digital assets. The country is home to over 50 million crypto users with an annual trading volume exceeding $300 billion.
Read: Pakistan to Legalize Crypto, Says Adviser Bilal Bin Saqib
It consistently ranks among the top five nations globally for crypto adoption. With 70% of its 240 million population under 30, Pakistan has a highly favourable demographic for blockchain innovation. It is also the world’s third-largest freelancer market.
Profile: Who is Bilal Bin Saqib?
Bilal Bin Saqib is a London-based entrepreneur recognised for his work in digital innovation and social impact. He has received accolades from King Charles III, the late Queen Elizabeth II, and the Mayor of London.
In 2023, he received an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for leading the “One Million Meals” humanitarian initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic. He holds a Master’s degree in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the London School of Economics (LSE).
Beyond fintech, Saqib co-founded the social enterprise Tayaba, which addresses Pakistan’s water crisis through innovative solutions such as the H2O Wheel, a water transportation device.
