Key Takeaways
- Finance Minister Aurangzeb announced Pakistan's move towards a regulated virtual-assets framework.
- The government aims to use blockchain and tokenisation for cheaper remittances and SME financing.
- Aurangzeb highlighted the importance of climate action and development financing at international forums.
Pakistan is transitioning towards a regulated virtual-assets framework, as Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced during his recent engagements at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Aurangzeb participated in several high-level meetings, focusing on the role of digital innovation in expanding economic opportunities and strengthening financial inclusion.
At the 'United Nations Digital Cooperation Day 2026 – Blockchain and the Tokenised Future: Sovereign Choices and Safeguards for Next-Gen DPI,' Aurangzeb highlighted the need for tokenisation to address real economic needs, including cheaper remittances and SME financing.
He emphasized the importance of supporting private-sector innovation with strong state safeguards, inclusive digital infrastructure, and international cooperation, particularly involving emerging economies.
During his participation in the World Economic Forum’s ‘Financing Planet and Prosperity’ meeting, Aurangzeb discussed Pakistan’s acute vulnerability to climate-related disasters, particularly floods, and outlined the government’s efforts to strengthen disaster-response frameworks and costed climate-investment plans.
He called for external assistance to be complemented by domestic resources and fiscal buffers, emphasizing the need for simplified procedures and accelerated access to financing through the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and international capital markets.
At the launch of the COP31 Action Agenda, Aurangzeb expressed full support for the agenda, noting its alignment with Pakistan’s national climate priorities and NDC 3.0.
He highlighted Pakistan’s climate vulnerability and emphasized shared priorities, including clean energy, renewable-energy expansion, energy-efficient buildings, climate-resilient cities, climate education, and public awareness, food security, and climate-resilient agriculture.
Welcoming the proposed Climate Implementation Bridge, Aurangzeb described it as a mechanism for translating NDC commitments into investable and bankable projects, stressing the need for effective implementation and practical, impact-oriented action points.
