CAMBRIDGE: Bilal Bin Saqib, MBE, Minister of State and Chairman of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA), addressed the Harvard Islamic Finance Conference on Friday, focusing on the intersection of blockchain technology and Islamic finance. The keynote session, titled “The Future of Blockchain and Islamic Finance,” explored the integration of digital assets within Shariah-compliant financial systems.

According to Press Information Department, Bin Saqib engaged in a dialogue with Imran Sayeed, Senior Lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management, to examine the role of regulatory innovation and technological capability in advancing Islamic finance. The discussion highlighted the need for collaboration among universities, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, and Shariah scholars to apply emerging technologies to real-world financial challenges, such as cross-border payments and digital financial assets.

Bin Saqib emphasized the importance of developing knowledge and institutions to accompany technological adoption, citing Pakistan’s Virtual Assets Act, 2026, as a framework for regulating virtual assets. He noted that the real test of these technologies lies in their public usability, stressing the necessity of clear rights, understandable risks, and reliable recourse for users.

The conference, marking its 29th year, was held under the theme “Global Finance in Transition: Stability, Pluralism, and the Role of Islamic Finance,” organized by Harvard University Muslim Alumni and the Harvard Islamic Society. Bin Saqib encouraged young professionals to engage in joint research and multidisciplinary projects to build a unified effort in advancing Islamic finance through measurable contributions.