Lahore: Advisor to the Federal Finance Minister, Khurram Schehzad, on Sunday outlined Pakistan's evolving vision on digital assets and financial innovation while addressing a Fireside Chat titled 'Tokenizing the Sovereign Assets - Liquidity Ready' at the 27th ITCN Asia held at the Expo Center, Lahore.

Speaking at the session, Khurram Schehzad said the government's primary role in the digital economy is to facilitate innovation and create an enabling environment for emerging technologies. He noted that the government is actively formulating policies to empower youth by opening new avenues in modern financial and digital sectors.

Highlighting the global perspective, he said Bitcoin has a capped global supply of nearly 21 million units, making digital assets a significant topic in today's evolving financial landscape. He added that, according to reports, Bitcoin and crypto mining activities are already taking place in Pakistan, reflecting growing domestic engagement with crypto-related technologies.

The advisor further disclosed that the Ministry of Finance is planning to tokenize a portion of Pakistan's domestic debt worth around $2 billion in the first phase, with a focus on tapping retail investors.

Discussing regulatory and institutional developments, Khurram Schehzad said the proposal to establish a dedicated framework or authority is aimed at regulating and better understanding crypto assets. He acknowledged that Pakistan is still at a nascent stage in this field but is moving forward cautiously.

Referring to international models, he cited the United Arab Emirates as an example, noting that it has already developed structured mechanisms for virtual assets. He emphasized that Pakistan is learning from global best practices while shaping its own approach.

The session concluded with emphasis on balanced policymaking, innovation-friendly regulations, and adherence to global standards to ensure Pakistan can responsibly explore opportunities in digital assets and sovereign asset tokenization.