PVARA Engages World Bank Leadership on Asset Tokenisation & AI Regulation

Bilal Bin Saqib, Chairman of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA), conducted high-level meetings with World Bank Group and International Finance Corporation (IFC) leadership during the 2026 IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok. The discussions centered on modernizing Pakistan’s financial infrastructure through the integration of asset tokenization, digital capital markets, and AI-enabled regulatory supervision. Key engagements included talks with IFC Regional Vice President Imad N. Fakhoury regarding the potential for tokenized bonds and sukuk to mobilize international private capital. Furthermore, PVARA leadership met with World Bank Treasurer Jorge Familiar and technology division heads to explore blockchain-enabled transparency and digital asset oversight. These meetings signify a strategic effort by Pakistan to align its regulatory framework with global standards to attract foreign investment and improve market efficiency. By focusing on institutional capacity building and technological deployment, the country aims to transition from basic adoption to active participation in the global digital economy. This initiative highlights the growing importance of sovereign-level engagement in establishing credible, blockchain-integrated financial systems for emerging markets.