National Assembly Passes Virtual Assets Bill, Suspends Rules for Iran Debate

The National Assembly on Tuesday swiftly approved the Virtual Assets Bill 2026, paving the way for the establishment of a regulatory authority to oversee crypto assets in Pakistan. The bill was passed within minutes after the government utilized procedural provisions to prioritize its passage before a scheduled debate on the Middle East crisis.

At the outset of the session, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry requested Speaker Ayaz Sadiq to suspend the private member’s day agenda in order to hold a debate on the security situation following recent US-Israel attacks on Iran. The house agreed to defer the 98-point agenda, allowing the debate to proceed.

Following this, Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry moved another motion to suspend the rule regarding private member’s day, enabling the introduction and passage of the Virtual Assets Bill 2026 through a supplementary agenda. The motion was approved by the house, and the bill was passed within minutes.

The new legislation establishes a regulatory authority that will supervise crypto assets in the country. The rapid passage of the bill was noted by observers, as it occurred ahead of the general debate on the regional security situation.

During the session, members of the National Assembly also condemned the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Several MNAs expressed concern that Pakistan could face similar threats, voicing fears that the country “might be next.”

The session highlighted both the legislative focus on emerging technologies and the ongoing concerns regarding regional security. The passage of the Virtual Assets Bill 2026 marks a significant step towards the regulation of crypto assets in Pakistan, while the debate on the Middle East crisis reflected apprehensions among lawmakers about the potential impact on national security.