Pakistan’s lower house of parliament has approved new legislation to regulate digital assets, paving the way for the creation of a dedicated authority to oversee the country’s growing virtual currency market.
The National Assembly of Pakistan passed the “Virtual Assets Bill, 2026,” after it had earlier been approved by the Senate of Pakistan on February 27. The bill will now be sent to Asif Ali Zardari for formal assent before becoming law.
The legislation proposes the creation of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, which will license, regulate, and supervise virtual assets and related service providers in the country. The move aims to formalize a market that has largely operated without a comprehensive legal framework despite rising adoption among retail users.
Under the law, the authority will be headed by a federal government appointee and will include several key officials, such as the governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, the chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, the secretaries of finance and law, the head of the National AML-CFT Authority, and the chairperson of the Pakistan Digital Authority.
Additionally, two independent directors with expertise in digital finance and technology will be appointed to support the authority’s work.
According to the bill’s statement of objectives, the authority will be responsible for combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and other illicit activities related to virtual assets while aligning Pakistan’s regulatory framework with international standards.
The authority will also work to encourage innovation, expand financial inclusion, and promote the development of Shariah-compliant digital asset services.
Officials say the new framework is designed to improve transparency and create a safer trading environment while enabling stronger oversight of a sector that policymakers increasingly view as both a financial risk and an economic opportunity.
