The National Assembly has passed the Virtual Assets Bill 2026, formally paving the way for the regulation of cryptocurrency in Pakistan. The bill was approved after Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhary moved a motion to suspend the regular assembly rules, allowing it to be taken up immediately.
The legislation was presented on behalf of Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. It had already been passed by the Senate and reviewed by the relevant parliamentary committee before being submitted to the National Assembly for final approval. The bill provides legal backing for the establishment of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA). This new body will be responsible for licensing, regulating, and supervising virtual asset service providers and overseeing digital asset activities across the country.
Lawmakers said the purpose of the legislation is to bring clarity and structure to the rapidly growing crypto market. By creating a formal regulatory framework, the government aims to ensure transparency, reduce financial risks, and align Pakistan’s crypto sector with international compliance standards. With the bill’s passage, cryptocurrency activities will now operate under defined legal oversight, marking a significant step toward regulating digital finance in Pakistan.
