Advisor to the Federal Finance Minister, Khurram Schehzad, said on Wednesday that the government is committed to cutting unnecessary expenditures, improving tax collection from the right segments, and taking strategic steps to stabilize the economy.
Speaking at a fireside chat titled “Pakistan’s Readiness for Digital & Virtual Assets Inclusion as Part of the Digital Economy” held at the National Incubation Center, NED University, Khurram Schehzad highlighted key reforms aimed at shaping Pakistan into a digital society, digital economy, and digital government.
He said the Digital Nation Pakistan Act, 2025, recently passed by the government, outlines this three-part vision. Under the Act, two autonomous bodies, the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) and the Crypto Council, have been established, involving key stakeholders like the Ministries of Finance, Law, and IT, along with the State Bank and SECP.
“Crypto is just one element,” Khurram Schehzad noted. “The broader goal is to build a full digital infrastructure, blockchain rails, youth upskilling, and investment in exchanges and platforms.”
He emphasized the government’s focus on digital integration across multiple sectors including real estate, mining, agriculture, IT, and finance. Even state-owned entities, he said, hold assets that could be tokenized to unlock new investment opportunities.
To attract investment, the government is streamlining tax policies and improving ease of doing business. Responding to a question, Khurram Schehzad said, “PVARA is just the first step, let it evolve. You’ll see progress as key sectors develop.”
He also shared that ambassadors of several countries have been briefed on Pakistan’s energy and taxation plans for investors, and their response has been “very encouraging.” These ambassadors, he added, were urged to share the roadmap with their governments.
In closing, Khurram Schehzad stressed that improving conditions for existing investors is a priority, “They’ll become Pakistan’s business ambassadors globally.”