{"id":"bilal-bin-saqib","title":"Bilal Bin Saqib","content":"**Bilal Bin Saqib** is the Chairman of Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority. Originally from Lahore, Pakistan, Saqib has made significant strides in both social entrepreneurship and digital finance. He was recognized with an MBE (Member of the British Empire) in 2023, awarded by Princess Anne for his humanitarian efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, notably through the One Million Meals initiative, which provided over 100,000 meals to NHS frontline workers in the UK. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-wBnLLloRj88rwdhE)  [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-CPPx2hSzBP1jnEfO)  [\\[13\\]](#cite-id-ZVGswR691qCrEc3A) \n\n### Early Life and Education\n\nBilal Bin Saqib grew up in Lahore, Pakistan, where he demonstrated an early interest in social welfare and entrepreneurship. His academic journey took him to London, where he worked multiple jobs, including cleaning toilets, to finance his education. Saqib graduated with a Master's degree in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the London School of Economics (LSE) in 2019. During his time at LSE, he became the elected Postgraduate Students' Officer and served on the Student Union Executive Committee, gaining popularity for his leadership among over 6,870 postgraduate students. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-wBnLLloRj88rwdhE)  [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-CPPx2hSzBP1jnEfO) \n\n## Career\n\n### Tayaba Organization\n\nIn 2016, Bilal Bin Saqib founded Tayaba.org, an organization focused on water accessibility in rural areas of Pakistan. The organization introduced the H2O Wheel, a device designed for transporting water in communities with limited infrastructure. Tayaba.org has operated in regions including Tharparkar and distributed H2O Wheels to households affected by water shortages.\n\nTayaba.org also conducted fundraising activities involving blockchain technology, including an [NFT](https://iq.wiki/wiki/non-fungible-token-nft)-based campaign held on International Charity Day. The organization later received the Points of Light Award in 2021.\n\n### One Million Meals\n\nDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, Saqib co-founded One Million Meals in the United Kingdom. The initiative provided meals to frontline workers, including NHS staff, and other groups affected during the pandemic response period.\n\nThe project organized volunteer networks and coordinated food distribution operations during 2020. The initiative was referenced by media outlets including BBC, Sky News, ITV, and The Telegraph, and received public support from individuals including David Beckham.\n\n### Pakistan Crypto Council\n\nBilal Bin Saqib participated in the establishment of the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), an organization associated with blockchain and [digital asset](https://iq.wiki/wiki/digital-assets) policy discussions in Pakistan. As Chief Executive Officer, he worked on matters related to regulatory development and [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency)-related initiatives.\n\n### Government Advisory Roles\n\nSaqib has held advisory roles related to blockchain and [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) within the Government of Pakistan. In 2025, he was appointed Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Blockchain and Cryptocurrency with the status of Minister of State.\n\nHis work in this position included matters related to [digital asset](https://iq.wiki/wiki/digital-assets) regulation, [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) [mining](https://iq.wiki/wiki/mining) initiatives, and the use of blockchain technology in administrative and financial systems.\n\nIn April 2025, he was appointed Chairman of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority.\n\n### Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve\n\nBilal Bin Saqib announced the establishment of a government-led Strategic [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) Reserve in Pakistan. The initiative was presented as part of the country’s [digital asset](https://iq.wiki/wiki/digital-assets) and [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency)-related framework.\n\n### Other Roles\n\nSince 2022, Saqib has served as a Member of the Board of Advisors at Queen Mary University of London, where he has been involved in advisory activities related to strategy, partnerships, and marketing for the business school.\n\nHe has also held positions with organizations including ETHBarcelona, DoinGud, Coral Reef, and Busha Exchange, working in areas related to communications, marketing, blockchain initiatives, and organizational development.\n\nEarlier in his career, Saqib served as a Postgraduate Student Officer at the London School of Economics Students’ Union. He also worked as a Teaching Assistant at Queen Mary, University of London, assisting students in Quantitative Research Methods. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-wBnLLloRj88rwdhE)  [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-CPPx2hSzBP1jnEfO)  [\\[4\\]](#cite-id-sDd2hjTSYKteapRf)  [\\[5\\]](#cite-id-70uH8boTqVldL28K)  [\\[6\\]](#cite-id-NGfBBPiSLMPL2E0L)  [\\[9\\]](#cite-id-U7uQ8NlQj1CpJOo8)  [\\[11\\]](#cite-id-pmjAe9nbGEr1ytqU)  [\\[13\\]](#cite-id-ZVGswR691qCrEc3A) ","summary":"Bilal Bin Saqib is a prominent social entrepreneur and crypto advocate, known for his roles as the Chairman of PVARA and CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council. He has been recognized for his efforts in water crisis solutions and crypto policy innovation.","images":[{"id":"QmP6risGtG1zqTApeuorHGnSrM4soxxksKN54N8ogtBRRV","type":"image/jpeg, image/png"}],"categories":[{"id":"people","title":"people"}],"tags":[{"id":"Founder"},{"id":"Advisor"},{"id":"Speaker"}],"media":[{"id":"QmXZxjUq3mHNP7XwZ1HHsFMwoCQ4eLqUjkNAJi8MS4qNXS","type":"GALLERY","source":"IPFS_IMG"},{"id":"QmSn4oGoyLT7H1N12Vh5obakDrpRT7odGxdLsewvNhsBGN","name":"1749444366627.jpeg","caption":"","thumbnail":"QmSn4oGoyLT7H1N12Vh5obakDrpRT7odGxdLsewvNhsBGN","source":"IPFS_IMG"},{"id":"QmZjTDVLtkSV6wkfEwAwEETjCLAh13ts4d5HeKT9XH3kCP","name":"About-Me-1.jpg","caption":"","thumbnail":"QmZjTDVLtkSV6wkfEwAwEETjCLAh13ts4d5HeKT9XH3kCP","source":"IPFS_IMG"},{"id":"QmaJiEoLs6q88x9WqDTNkLHriauQhHCqvT8Z2hZGgqE97k","name":"About-Me-2.jpg","caption":"","thumbnail":"QmaJiEoLs6q88x9WqDTNkLHriauQhHCqvT8Z2hZGgqE97k","source":"IPFS_IMG"},{"id":"QmQFkGon2LDGfuCbtv4LFgseqxTmYMaMuKNCaxZLcsVncW","name":"About-Me-3.jpg","caption":"","thumbnail":"QmQFkGon2LDGfuCbtv4LFgseqxTmYMaMuKNCaxZLcsVncW","source":"IPFS_IMG"},{"id":"QmRhspByNgdLB6jYLiXbAmK5zcnfp6yWadNgfoP4L7tb3y","name":"bbs.crime.jpg","caption":"","thumbnail":"QmRhspByNgdLB6jYLiXbAmK5zcnfp6yWadNgfoP4L7tb3y","source":"IPFS_IMG"}],"metadata":[{"id":"references","value":"[{\"id\":\"wBnLLloRj88rwdhE\",\"description\":\"Bilal\\nBin Saqib MBE\",\"timestamp\":1779944397259,\"url\":\"https://www.bilalbinsaqib.com/\"},{\"id\":\"CPPx2hSzBP1jnEfO\",\"description\":\"LinkedIn: Bilal Bin Saqib MBE\",\"timestamp\":1779944415997,\"url\":\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/bilal-bin-saqib-mbe-33521b33/\"},{\"id\":\"umw0swU4SqLkwOuU\",\"description\":\"Twitter: Bilal Bin Saqib MBE\",\"timestamp\":1779944428314,\"url\":\"https://x.com/Bilalbinsaqib\"},{\"id\":\"sDd2hjTSYKteapRf\",\"description\":\"Forbes Under 30\",\"timestamp\":1779944448329,\"url\":\"https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30/2020/asia/social-entrepreneurs/#25135c1d6e1c\"},{\"id\":\"70uH8boTqVldL28K\",\"description\":\"Bilal bin Saqib appointed PVARA chairman, resigns as PM’s crypto advisor\\n\",\"timestamp\":1779944459677,\"url\":\"https://tribune.com.pk/story/2580192/crypto-minister-bilal-bin-saqib-resigns-as-sapm-after-rules-clash-with-role\"},{\"id\":\"NGfBBPiSLMPL2E0L\",\"description\":\"Govt forms crypto council\\nMoves to adopt blockchain technology, despite delays in legalising digital currencies\",\"timestamp\":1779944497944,\"url\":\"https://tribune.com.pk/story/2534320/govt-forms-crypto-council\"},{\"id\":\"3wbL8Pt0zDX4XkEw\",\"description\":\"Pakistan Crypto Council officially launched to integrate blockchain technology with financial landscape\",\"timestamp\":1779944478060,\"url\":\"https://www.dawn.com/news/1897897/pakistan-crypto-council-officially-launched-to-integrate-blockchain-technology-with-financial-landscape\"},{\"id\":\"WsmTSHUeDhPaU8VB\",\"description\":\"Pakistan launches crypto council to regulate blockchain, digital assets\\n\",\"timestamp\":1779944510092,\"url\":\"https://tribune.com.pk/story/2534270/pakistan-launches-crypto-council-to-regulate-blockchain-digital-assets\"},{\"id\":\"U7uQ8NlQj1CpJOo8\",\"description\":\"Pakistan Crypto Council officially launched\\n\",\"timestamp\":1779944528045,\"url\":\"https://www.brecorder.com/news/40353064\"},{\"id\":\"qAI013njkzhC7EEr\",\"description\":\"Bilal Bin SAQIB\\n\",\"timestamp\":1779944545094,\"url\":\"https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/MU-WFKesDVPieRP7WNZz50iE3hw/appointments\"},{\"id\":\"pmjAe9nbGEr1ytqU\",\"description\":\"Pakistani elected LSE postgraduate students’ officer\\n\",\"timestamp\":1779944556495,\"url\":\"https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/408652-pakistani-elected-lse-postgraduate-students-officer\"},{\"id\":\"4TRixuRFBXud7Blv\",\"description\":\"Is Pakistan pulling an end-run around India in Washington with its cryptocurrency hype?\\n\",\"timestamp\":1779944568407,\"url\":\"https://www.telegraphindia.com/business/is-pakistan-pulling-an-end-run-around-india-in-washington-with-its-cryptocurrency-hype/cid/2111823\"},{\"id\":\"ZVGswR691qCrEc3A\",\"description\":\"7 things about Bilal Bin Saqib, the man behind Pakistan’s big Bitcoin bet\\n\",\"timestamp\":1779944578628,\"url\":\"https://www.firstpost.com/world/7-things-about-bilal-bin-saqib-the-man-behind-pakistans-big-bitcoin-bet-13892835.html\"}]"},{"id":"website","value":"https://www.bilalbinsaqib.com/"},{"id":"linkedin_profile","value":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/bilal-bin-saqib-mbe-33521b33/"},{"id":"twitter_profile","value":"https://x.com/Bilalbinsaqib"},{"id":"commit-message","value":"\"Added biography of Bilal Bin Saqib, Chairman of Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority and MBE\""}],"events":[{"id":"4c383aef-83d7-4e90-969a-c2ef0f33ec6c","date":"2016-06-01","title":"Founder of Tayaba Organization","type":"CREATED","description":"Bilal founded Tayaba in 2016, which focuses on alleviating the water crisis in Pakistan with innovative solutions like the H2O wheel.","link":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"01326ae6-64bf-4ee6-8042-6dbea6842bda","date":"2023-05-01","title":"Awarded MBE for Humanitarian 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