Pakistan's government is exploring blockchain-based finance alongside its growing digital export sector. At the Digital Cooperation Organisation's High-Level Ministerial Dialogue in New York, held during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said virtual assets could be used for more than cryptocurrency trading. He mentioned cheaper and simpler remittances and the possible tokenisation of public debt and real estate. Meanwhile, digital exports are growing steadily: according to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26, ICT export remittances rose by 19.7% to $3.38bn in July-March FY2026, up from $2.83bn a year earlier.
The authorities are now trying to establish rules for digital assets. On Sunday, Bilal bin Saqib, chairman of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA), met Natalie Baker, America's chargé d'affaires, to discuss the country's emerging regulatory framework. He said Pakistan was building a modern and robust regulatory system while laying the foundations for a future digital economy. The talks also covered innovation and financial transparency. Mr Aurangzeb told his audience in New York that work was under way on legislation, supervision and licensing, and that virtual assets were already widely used.
The export figures support the government's interest in the sector. Freelance technology exports rose by 51% to $856.3m in the first nine months of FY2026. The Pakistan Software Export Board took part in 20 international technology events, which produced 4,228 qualified business leads and $73.9m of reported deals. According to the State Bank of Pakistan's annual report, ICT services exports grew by 18.3% to $3.8bn in FY2025, after rising by 24.1% to $3.2bn the previous year. The central bank identified software consultancy and freelance computer services as major contributors.
Freelancing has particular appeal for a country with a large young workforce, because it allows people to work for foreign clients without emigrating. Pakistani freelancers provide software development, graphic design, digital marketing, accounting and engineering services. Digital infrastructure is also expanding. By the end of March 2026, broadband subscriptions had reached 161m and total telecom subscriptions 207.2m, while telecom revenues for July-March totalled Rs837bn. Analyst’s caution, however, that internet access alone will not guarantee export growth unless reliability, data infrastructure, cybersecurity and international payment systems also improve.
Officials have also tried to make it easier for digital exporters to receive payment. In April 2026, the central bank introduced measures to simplify the processing of export receipts and outward payments from IT exporters' special foreign-currency accounts. IT companies and freelancers no longer have to submit Form "R" to banks for their export earnings, and banks must establish procedures to resolve exporters' complaints promptly. These changes are intended to make it easier for small exporters to sell abroad. Mr Aurangzeb also cited digital public infrastructure and cashless payments as important parts of Pakistan's move from economic stabilisation to sustainable growth.
The government sees artificial intelligence as the next stage of growth. Pakistan has approved a National Artificial Intelligence Policy covering innovation, skills and adoption. Some analysts argue that AI could make developers, engineers and consultants more productive rather than simply replace routine work. Moving into higher-value activities, however, will require expertise in cybersecurity, cloud computing, data analytics, enterprise software, semiconductor design and blockchain development. That would require universities and training providers to design courses around international demand. Mr Aurangzeb likewise stressed that improved connectivity must be accompanied by training and retraining so that freelancers can offer more advanced services.
The plans also face clear risks. Commentators say regulation of Web 3.0 must balance innovation with financial stability, consumer protection and safeguards against illicit finance. They also warn against allowing policy discussion to focus mainly on speculative tokens rather than useful blockchain applications. More broadly, policy uncertainty, unreliable electricity and internet services, difficulty receiving payments from abroad, scarce venture capital and weak intellectual-property protection all hold the sector back. Shortages of advanced technical skills and limited cybersecurity and data-governance capacity are further constraints that could limit growth unless addressed.
Pakistan's digital sector has grown into a meaningful source of foreign exchange, and its ministers are now discussing tokenised bonds and property on an international stage. Whether these ambitions translate into a durable, high-value digital economy will depend less on new regulators and international events than on practical improvements. Firms need reliable infrastructure, stable policies, simpler payment systems and a supply of advanced skills to compete for global clients. Mr Aurangzeb has urged member states of the Digital Cooperation Organisation to share successful approaches and attract investment, though Pakistan will need to make progress at home to benefit from such cooperation.