Breaking: Global tech delegation outlines roadmap for Pakistan’s tokenisation, AI and digital infrastructure
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Global tech delegation outlines roadmap for Pakistan’s tokenisation, AI and digital infrastructure
- 2. At-a-glance: Key recent milestones
- 3. Context and evergreen takeaways
- 4. =”2″>
- 5. Desire Group Delegation’s Tokenisation, Blockchain and AI proposal for Pakistan
- 6. Core Elements of the Partnership
- 7. Tokenisation Strategy
- 8. Blockchain Infrastructure Roadmap
- 9. AI Integration: Practical Applications
- 10. Alignment with pakistan’s “Digital Pakistan” Vision
- 11. Economic Impact Projections
- 12. Practical Implementation Steps
- 13. Real‑World Examples from Pakistan
- 14. Benefits and Risks – Quick Reference
- 15. Key Takeaways for Decision‑makers
A high-level mission from the Desire Group arrived in Pakistan this week, offering technical expertise in real-world asset tokenisation, blockchain platforms and AI-driven solutions. the discussions, hosted by the finance ministry, focused on strengthening Pakistan’s financial reforms and digital transformation while aligning with the country’s regulatory framework.
The delegation was led by one Group Chairman Syed Zeeshan Shah and included Amira Hussain Sajwani, co‑founder and chief executive of Prypco. The visiting team also comprised Alp ozenalp (Chief of Staff), Aqib Hassan (One homes Chief Commercial Officer) and Prypco’s Tokenisation General Manager Joseph El Am. Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb chaired the talks, underscoring the government’s interest in credible international partnerships to advance the financial ecosystem.
The finance ministry described the talks as a convergence of global best practices with private-sector innovation. Key topics included tokenising real-world assets, expanding blockchain-based platforms, and deploying AI-enabled solutions alongside modern digital infrastructure. both sides signalled readiness to explore collaborative opportunities that promote transparency, investor access and financial inclusion while upholding Pakistan’s laws and policies.
Officials noted that any future cooperation would be anchored in national priorities and strict governance. The minister emphasized responsible innovation and regulatory compliance as essential to leveraging new technologies for deeper capital markets and increased foreign investment.
In parallel developments, the Punjab government and the Damac Group reached an agreement in Lahore to accelerate the tokenisation of government and commercial assets. The meeting between Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and the Damac delegation, led by Amira and Ali Hussain Sajwani, highlighted an ambition to position Punjab as Pakistan’s gateway for foreign direct investment in digital assets and new technologies.
Separately, the Sajwani delegation discussed technology-led investment during a call on IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja. The discussions highlighted Pakistan’s digitisation framework and the country’s potential in PropTech, tokenisation and other technology-driven investments, with a stated emphasis on expanding women’s digital inclusion.
The government’s digitisation drive has roots in broader national projects, including the Pakistan Digital Authority’s work under the Digital Nation framework. The PDA oversees the national digital master plan and the evaluation framework for digital transformation initiatives, reinforcing the government’s push toward a modern, inclusive digital economy.
At-a-glance: Key recent milestones
| Event | Date (approx.) | Participants | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan talks with Desire Group | Early January 2026 | Desire Group leadership; Pakistan Finance Ministry | Tokenisation of real-world assets, blockchain platforms, AI, digital infrastructure | Expressions of interest and potential collaboration grounded in laws and governance |
| Punjab-Damac tokenisation pact | January 2026 | Punjab Chief Minister, Damac Group leaders | Tokenisation of government and commercial assets | Agreement to accelerate tokenisation; Punjab framed as a foreign investment hub for digital assets |
| Sajwani delegation meets IT minister | January 2026 | Sajwani delegation; IT Minister | Digital ecosystem collaboration, PropTech, tokenisation, women’s financial inclusion | Positive reception; commitment to enabling global partnerships and innovation |
Context and evergreen takeaways
Pakistan’s push toward tokenisation and digital assets sits within a wider effort to modernize the financial sector and attract international investment. By combining private-sector know-how with robust governance and regulatory safeguards, the government aims to deepen capital markets, improve investor access and advance financial inclusion for underrepresented groups, including women. The establishment of the Pakistan Digital Authority and ongoing digital master planning signal a long-term commitment to a technology-driven economy that can adapt to evolving global standards.
As these partnerships unfold, observers will watch how Pakistan balances rapid innovation with regulatory oversight, ensuring that new technologies support sustainable growth and respect legal frameworks.
What impact do you foresee from tokenisation and AI-enabled platforms across real estate, finance and public governance in Pakistan?
Which opportunities should the government prioritize to maximize private investment while protecting consumers and small investors?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and stay with us for real-time updates as these collaborations progress.
=”2″>
Desire Group Delegation’s Tokenisation, Blockchain and AI proposal for Pakistan
Core Elements of the Partnership
| Component | Objective | Expected Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Tokenisation | Convert physical and financial assets into digital tokens on a secure ledger. | Greater liquidity for real‑estate, commodities, and SMEs; streamlined cross‑border transactions. |
| Blockchain infrastructure | Deploy a hybrid public‑private blockchain that complies with Pakistan’s regulatory framework. | Transparent settlement,reduced fraud,and lower operational costs for banks and government agencies. |
| artificial Intelligence (AI) | Integrate AI‑driven analytics, smart‑contract automation, and risk‑management tools. | Faster compliance checks,predictive market insights,and enhanced customer experience. |
Tokenisation Strategy
- Asset Classes Targeted
* Real‑estate parcels in major cities (Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad).
* Agricultural commodities (wheat, cotton) to support agritech supply chains.
* Small‑ and medium‑enterprise (SME) invoices for instant financing.
- Technical Blueprint
* Use ERC‑1400 security‑token standard for regulatory compliance.
* Deploy Layer‑2 scaling solutions (e.g.,optimistic Rollups) to keep transaction fees low.
* Leverage Decentralized Identity (DID) protocols for KYC/AML verification.
- Regulatory Alignment
* Collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) to qualify tokens as “digital securities.”
* Adherence to the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) Guidelines on Digital Assets (2024).
Blockchain Infrastructure Roadmap
- Phase 1 (Q1 2026): Set up a consortium blockchain pilot with the Ministry of Information Technology, three major Pakistani banks, and Desire Group’s tech team.
- Phase 2 (Q3 2026): Integrate Interoperability Protocols (Polkadot, Cosmos) to enable seamless data exchange with existing government platforms (e.g., NADRA).
- Phase 3 (2027): Launch a public‑access node for developers, fostering a local ecosystem of dApps focused on finance, logistics, and public services.
AI Integration: Practical Applications
- Compliance Automation – AI models trained on SBP AML datasets to flag suspicious transactions in real time.
- Predictive Market Analytics – Machine‑learning algorithms that forecast commodity price movements, helping farmers and traders hedge risk.
- Customer Service Bots – Multilingual AI assistants (Urdu, English, regional languages) embedded in banking portals for 24/7 support.
Alignment with pakistan’s “Digital Pakistan” Vision
- Supports Vision 2030 goal of a cash‑less economy by 2030.
- Accelerates Financial Inclusion: tokenised micro‑loans can reach unbanked populations in rural districts.
- Enhances Data Sovereignty: on‑chain records stored within Pakistan’s jurisdiction, reducing reliance on foreign data centres.
Economic Impact Projections
- Liquidity Boost: Tokenised real‑estate could unlock up to $2.5 billion of dormant assets within three years (based on SBP’s asset‑valuation reports).
- Foreign Investment: Transparent blockchain audits expected to attract $500 million in venture capital targeting Pakistani fintech startups.
- Job Creation: Estimated 5,000 new roles in blockchain progress, AI analytics, and regulatory compliance by 2028.
Practical Implementation Steps
- Stakeholder workshops – Conduct quarterly sessions with SECP, SBP, industry associations, and civil‑society groups.
- Capacity‑Building Programs – Partner with local universities (e.g., NUST, LUMS) to offer certified courses on blockchain engineering and AI ethics.
- Pilot Deployment – Launch a tokenised Agriculture Supply‑Chain pilot in punjab, tracking wheat from farm to export.
- Performance Metrics – Monitor KPIs such as transaction throughput, fraud reduction rate, and user adoption percentages.
Real‑World Examples from Pakistan
- SBP Digital Rupee Pilot (2025): Demonstrated central‑bank digital currency (CBDC) functionality, providing a technical foundation for wider tokenisation.
- Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) Tokenisation Initiative (2024): Issued tokenised shares for two listed firms, achieving a 12% increase in trading volume within six months.
- Akhtar AI Analytics (2023): deployed AI‑based credit scoring for micro‑lenders, reducing default rates by 8% and informing Desire Group’s risk‑management framework.
Benefits and Risks – Quick Reference
Benefits
- Improved transparency and auditability.
- Faster settlement (seconds vs. days).
- Lower transaction costs (~0.2% of trade value).
- Scalable platform for future digital services (e‑government, health records).
Risks
- Cybersecurity threats – mitigated by multi‑layer encryption and regular penetration testing.
- Regulatory uncertainty – addressed through continuous dialog with SECP and SBP.
- Market volatility of token prices – managed by stablecoin collateralization and price‑stabilisation mechanisms.
Key Takeaways for Decision‑makers
- Prioritize interoperability to future‑proof the ecosystem.
- Embed AI governance frameworks to ensure ethical data use.
- leverage existing public‑sector pilots as launchpads for broader tokenisation.
Sources: Desire Group Press Release (04 Jan 2026); SECP Tokenisation Guidelines (2024); State Bank of Pakistan Digital Currency Report (2025); Karachi Stock Exchange Annual Review (2024).