Islamabad (GNP): The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan is exploring potential areas of collaboration with the Government of Pakistan to support sustainable development through digital technologies, including blockchain and virtual assets.
Dr. Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative of UNDP Pakistan, met with Bilal Bin Saqib, Minister of State and Chairman of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA), to discuss potential areas of cooperation and the role digital innovation could play in addressing development priorities in Pakistan.
The meeting focused on UNDP’s global expertise in blockchain and virtual assets and how this knowledge could potentially support public-sector priorities.
Discussions covered a range of areas where digital technologies may contribute to more efficient, transparent and traceable systems.
One of the key areas discussed was the potential use of digital technologies to improve remittance systems. Remittances are an important source of financial support for households across Pakistan, and the discussion considered how digital solutions could contribute to efficiency, transparency and accessibility within remittance-related systems.
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The participants also discussed opportunities related to social protection. Blockchain-based systems and other digital tools can potentially help strengthen the transparency and traceability of social protection programmes, while improving the ability of institutions to monitor and manage relevant transactions and services.
Another area of discussion was post-disaster support. Pakistan regularly faces climate-related and other natural disasters that can create significant humanitarian and development challenges.
Digital systems could potentially assist institutions in improving the delivery, monitoring and traceability of assistance following disasters.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of capacity development and institutional strengthening. Building technical expertise within government institutions is an important component of adopting emerging technologies responsibly and effectively.
Collaboration with international organisations such as UNDP can provide opportunities for knowledge exchange, technical assistance and institutional learning.
The discussions form part of broader efforts to explore how digital transformation can contribute to sustainable development objectives in Pakistan. As emerging technologies develop, governments and development partners are increasingly examining their potential applications in areas such as financial services, public administration, social protection and disaster response.
The engagement between UNDP Pakistan and PVARA reflects an interest in examining these possibilities in the Pakistani context while considering the country’s development priorities and institutional requirements.
UNDP’s global experience in digital technologies, combined with local institutional knowledge, could provide a basis for further discussions on practical applications and potential areas of cooperation.
The meeting concluded with a focus on identifying opportunities where technology and development expertise can support Pakistan’s broader digital transformation agenda.
Any future collaboration would be expected to focus on practical development needs, institutional capacity and responsible approaches to the use of emerging digital technologies.
The engagement is aligned with the broader objective of supporting sustainable development in Pakistan through innovation, partnerships, knowledge-sharing and stronger institutions.
