Advisor to the Finance Minister Khurram Schehzad stated that “Digital Nation Pakistan 2025” is not merely a standalone project but a comprehensive national vision aimed at transforming Pakistan into a digitally empowered economy. His remarks highlighted the government’s broader strategy to integrate digital technologies across governance, finance, and economic activity while ensuring inclusivity and innovation-led growth.
He was addressing the FinTech Forward Forum during the 27th ITCN Asia exhibition held at the Expo Center in Lahore, where policymakers, industry leaders, and technology experts gathered to discuss the future of financial and digital innovation in Pakistan. During his address, Khurram Schehzad emphasized that digital transformation is central to the government’s long-term development agenda and is being approached as a foundational shift rather than a limited reform initiative.
Discussing developments in the digital asset space, he noted that through the proposed Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA), crypto holders would be given the opportunity to participate in the formal digital economy. He added that tax incentives for the sector are under active consideration, with multiple options currently being discussed to encourage compliance, investment, and responsible innovation within the digital assets ecosystem.
Khurram Schehzad highlighted the progress already made in digitizing government operations, stating that nearly 99 percent of government files are now being transferred digitally across ministries through the E-Office platform. According to him, this transition has significantly reduced issues related to data loss and procedural delays, while integrated performance tracking mechanisms have improved transparency and accountability across departments.
He further shared that the government is targeting the establishment of 120 million bank accounts as part of its financial inclusion drive. In addition, the authorities aim to make all government-to-government (G2G) transactions fully digital, with the broader objective of shifting the entire government system onto a digital foundation within the current year. This transition is expected to streamline processes, reduce inefficiencies, and improve service delivery across the public sector.
Responding to questions from participants at the forum, Khurram Schehzad said that special incentives are being planned for investors under the upcoming industrial policy framework. He explained that small loans are being extended to small and medium-sized enterprises, the agriculture sector, and young entrepreneurs to promote self-sufficiency and economic participation. He also revealed that skill bonds are being issued as a new instrument to incentivize skilled individuals and encourage human capital development in priority sectors.
Emphasizing the role of the government in the evolving digital economy, he stated that the state’s primary responsibility is to create a conducive environment for innovation. This includes developing supportive policy frameworks, reducing regulatory friction, and enabling emerging technologies to scale responsibly. He added that policies are being designed with a strong focus on youth empowerment, particularly in the financial and digital domains, where new opportunities are rapidly emerging.
On the regulatory front, Khurram Schehzad acknowledged that Pakistan remains at an early stage in regulating virtual assets and related technologies. However, he said that a formal framework is under active consideration. Citing the United Arab Emirates as an example, he noted that countries with structured and effective virtual asset regulatory systems provide valuable lessons for Pakistan. He emphasized that Pakistan is moving forward cautiously but confidently, drawing on international best practices to balance innovation with financial stability and consumer protection.
The session concluded with a strong emphasis on the need for balanced policymaking that supports innovation while maintaining regulatory discipline. Speakers and participants stressed the importance of innovation-friendly regulations, institutional capacity building, and alignment with global standards as Pakistan advances its digital transformation agenda. The discussion reinforced the view that Digital Nation Pakistan 2025 represents a strategic shift toward embedding digital infrastructure and policy at the core of national development.
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