In a landmark diplomatic engagement, Bilal Bin Saqib, Minister of State for Crypto and Blockchain and CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council, met with President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador in San Salvador, marking the first-ever official meeting between a Pakistani government representative and the Salvadoran Head of State.
The historic encounter was centered entirely on Bitcoin and digital asset collaboration, a move that analysts are describing as the beginning of a new chapter in “Biplomacy” — a term blending Bitcoin and diplomacy, signaling the growing role of decentralized technologies in shaping international relations.
During the meeting, Minister Bilal Bin Saqib and President Bukele discussed El Salvador’s pioneering experience as the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, and explored avenues through which Pakistan could draw on these learnings to inform its own digital asset frameworks. Key themes included Bitcoin education, sovereign digital asset reserves, and regulatory innovation.
A pivotal outcome of the meeting was the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) between the Bitcoin Office of El Salvador and the Pakistan Crypto Council. The LOI, signed by Minister Bilal in his capacity as CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council, establishes a formal channel for knowledge exchange and cooperation on Bitcoin-focused initiatives. It lays the foundation for bilateral collaboration in areas such as public sector adoption, blockchain-based financial inclusion, and policy design for emerging economies.
Speaking after the meeting, Minister Bilal Bin Saqib remarked:
“El Salvador’s bold Bitcoin experiment has inspired governments around the world. This visit marks the beginning of a strategic relationship rooted in innovation, inclusion, and shared learning.”
President Bukele welcomed the engagement, praising Pakistan’s forward-looking stance on digital assets and reaffirming El Salvador’s commitment to supporting emerging economies exploring Bitcoin as a tool for financial sovereignty.
This high-level interaction comes amid Pakistan’s broader shift towards structured digital asset regulation, including the launch of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) and the announcement of the country’s Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.
As global interest in Bitcoin continues to surge, the meeting between Minister Bilal Bin Saqib and President Bukele is being hailed as a milestone in the evolution of tech-driven diplomacy — with Pakistan now positioning itself as a key player in the future of global crypto engagement.
The visit also underscores Pakistan’s growing ambition to play a proactive role in shaping global crypto discourse. As emerging economies grapple with the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation, Pakistan is stepping forward with a bold, collaborative approach, engaging directly with global pioneers, forming strategic alliances, and championing the responsible adoption of decentralized technologies. This diplomatic outreach reflects not only a commitment to innovation but also Pakistan’s intent to contribute meaningfully to the evolving global financial order.
