Crypto minister Bilal bin Saqib resigns as SAPM

Pakistan’s Minister of State for Crypto and Blockchain, Bilal Bin Saqib, has stepped down from his position as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Blockchain and Crypto to comply with federal bureaucratic regulations.

Rumours circulated widely on WhatsApp on Tuesday, claiming that the newly established crypto ministry was being dissolved. However, officials dismissed the speculation, confirming that Pakistan’s crypto and blockchain initiatives remain “fully active and ongoing.”

A staffer familiar with the development said, “The crypto initiatives for Pakistan are still moving forward. The minister will be speaking at Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai on Wednesday, December 3.”

According to government sources, Saqib resigned due to a conflict with the Rules of Business, 1973, which state that an individual cannot serve as a Special Assistant to the Prime Minister while simultaneously holding the position of chairman of a statutory regulatory authority.

Bilal Bin Saqib currently serves as the Chairman of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) — a body that he played a key role in establishing. His dual role as chairman and SAPM therefore became inconsistent with the rules governing federal appointments.

Appointed in May 2025, Saqib was given the status of Minister of State and tasked with leading Pakistan’s national blockchain strategy. During his tenure, he oversaw significant progress in crypto regulation, digital asset frameworks, and the setup of PVARA.

Despite his resignation from the SAPM role, officials confirm that Saqib continues to serve as Minister of State and remains at the forefront of Pakistan’s blockchain and crypto regulatory development.