Pakistan seeks greater collaboration with US in blockchain, artificial intelligence

In this handout photo, released by Pakistan’s Finance Ministry on May 15, 2025, Pakistan Crypto Council CEO Bilal bin Saqib gestures with the Acting US Ambassador Natalie Baker during a meeting at the US Embassy in Islamabad. (Photo courtesy: Handout/Finance Ministry)
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Updated 15 May 2025
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Pakistan seeks greater collaboration with US in blockchain, artificial intelligence

  • Pakistan Crypto Council CEO Bilal bin Saqib meets Acting US Ambassador Natalie Baker in Islamabad, says finance ministry
  • Pakistan says it plans to initiate joint programs, talent exchanges and MoUs between American companies and its startups

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Crypto Council (PCC) CEO Bilal bin Saqib met Acting US Ambassador Natalie Baker on Thursday to seek deeper collaboration with Washington in blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI), the finance ministry said.

Pakistan has increasingly sought to formalize its crypto economy amid rising interest in blockchain technologies worldwide. The country is already among the world’s fastest-growing crypto markets, ranking near the top in global adoption rates, with an estimated $300 billion in annual crypto transactions and around 25 million active users.

As part of these efforts, the PCC last month partnered with World Liberty Financial (WLF), a decentralized finance platform backed by US President Donald Trump, to advance blockchain innovation, stablecoin adoption and decentralized finance (DeFi) integration across Pakistan.

“Pakistan Crypto Council CEO meets US ambassador to advance youth collaboration in blockchain & AI,” the finance ministry’s statement said.

It added that Saqib met Baker to discuss creating bridges between US institutions and Pakistan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The PCC emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to becoming a globally competitive innovation hub, with blockchain and AI at the core of its future economy, the council said.

“Pakistan is home to one of the world’s youngest populations — eager, ambitious, and ready to lead the future of Web3 and AI,” Saqib said. “This is the time to invest in them, to connect them with global leaders, and to create real pipelines of opportunity between the US and Pakistan.”

The ministry said that Pakistan plans to initiate joint programs, talent exchange and strategic memoranda of understanding between American tech companies and Pakistani startups to build long-term partnerships that benefit both nations.

“The Pakistan Crypto Council remains committed to using blockchain as a tool of diplomacy, education, and empowerment — ensuring that Pakistan’s youth are not left behind but stand at the forefront of the global digital revolution,” the statement concluded.

Pakistan’s proactive stance to formalize its crypto economy follows its broader push to position itself as a hub for digital finance innovation, with 64 percent of its population under the age of 30.

Rising mobile broadband access, a booming freelance economy and increasing government interest in blockchain have accelerated the country’s Web3 adoption.


In a first, Pakistani corporate dairy farm to make $8.9 million market debut next month

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In a first, Pakistani corporate dairy farm to make $8.9 million market debut next month

  • Ghani Dairies to issue 104.2 million new shares, with most offered via book building
  • Company supplies milk to large processors including Nestlé Pakistan and Fauji Foods

KARACHI: Ghani Dairies Limited, a Pakistani corporate dairy farming company, plans to raise about Rs 2.5 billion ($8.9 million) through an initial public offering, in what would be the country’s first listing by a large-scale, automated dairy farm, its advisers said on Tuesday.

The company will issue 104.2 million new shares, representing 24.28 percent of its post-IPO paid-up capital, with 75 percent of the offering allocated through book building and the remainder offered to retail investors, according to a statement by JS Global Capital, the consultant to the issue.

The floor price has been set at Rs 24 per share, and the issue will be fully underwritten.

“This is not just a dairy farm, but a vision for Pakistan’s dairy future,” said Hafiz Avais Ghani, chief executive officer of Ghani Dairies, adding that the company aimed to expand capacity to better serve industrial clients and the broader market.

Ghani Dairies operates a fully automated dairy farm using imported high-yielding cattle and digital herd-management systems, supplying milk primarily to large food and dairy processors.

Its expansion plan includes the import of 1,250 dairy cows, construction of additional milking and heifer sheds, storage facilities and the installation of modern feeding and milking systems.

The company’s customers include Nestlé Pakistan, IRC Dairy, and Fauji Foods, according to the statement.

Khalil Usmani, chief executive of JS Global Capital, said the IPO would give investors exposure to a modern, corporate dairy operation at a time when demand for higher-quality milk and value-added dairy products was rising.

Book building for the offering is scheduled for Feb. 2–3, with the public offering expected to follow on Feb. 9–10, the statement said.