The Higher Education Commission (HEC) is waiting for policy guidance on digital asset management courses. The direction is expected from the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication.
The delay has also affected a proposed coordination program with the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC). The program aims to support specialized education and skills development in digital asset management.
The matter was discussed in the National Assembly during a question raised by Dr. Sharmila Faruqui. The discussion focused on Pakistan’s developing regulatory system for virtual assets.
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication informed lawmakers about the establishment of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA). The authority was created as an independent statutory body under the Virtual Assets Act, 2026.
PVARA is responsible for regulating virtual asset service providers in Pakistan. It is also tasked with supporting responsible innovation within the sector.
The authority will work to protect consumers and ensure compliance with relevant laws. Its responsibilities also include financial, anti-money laundering and counterterrorism financing requirements.
The Virtual Assets Act, 2026 also introduces a regulatory sandbox. The facility allows eligible businesses to test virtual asset products and services.
These businesses can also test new models under controlled conditions. PVARA supervises activities conducted through the regulatory sandbox.
According to the government, PVARA has already issued guidelines for the sandbox. It has also launched a sandbox focused on asset reference tokenization.
Applications for the initiative are currently being received and assessed by the authority. The development is part of Pakistan’s efforts to establish a formal virtual asset framework.
The government also informed the National Assembly about proposed regulations for virtual asset service providers. PVARA has prepared the Pakistan Virtual Assets Services Regulations for this purpose.
The draft regulations were published for public consultation on June 11, 2026. A Virtual Asset Activity Specific Handbook was also released for consultation.
Final approval and implementation arrangements for these regulatory measures are still underway.
On the education side, HEC confirmed that no dedicated joint program with NAVTTC has started. The commission said it has not received policy direction from the IT Ministry.
Without this guidance, a coordinated HEC and NAVTTC program remains pending. The proposed initiative could support education and workforce preparation in the digital asset sector.
However, universities already have some flexibility under existing HEC procedures. They can introduce programs and specializations related to emerging technologies.
Universities may also develop interdisciplinary courses through existing curriculum and approval mechanisms.
The government has therefore moved forward with virtual asset regulation. However, specialized education and workforce training still require further policy direction.
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The development highlights the need for coordination between regulators, education authorities and skills training institutions. Clear policy guidance could help institutions prepare relevant courses for Pakistan’s growing digital asset sector.
