Binance Founder CZ Meets Nawaz Sharif, Maryam After Being Appointed as Adviser to PCC

LAHORE: Changpeng Zhao, founder and former CEO of Binance, was appointed as a strategic adviser to the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) on April 7, 2025. Following his appointment, Zhao met with former Prime Minister and PML-N President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif in Lahore to discuss the future of digital finance and blockchain technology in Pakistan.

The meeting, which was also attended by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Crypto Council CEO Bilal Bin Saqib, focused on the role of digital innovation in economic development and the integration of blockchain and decentralized technologies into the national digital framework.

According to the council, the appointment is aimed at supporting the country’s transition toward Web 3.0 and fostering dialogue on blockchain adoption, fintech growth, and youth training in digital asset technologies.

Both sides exchanged views on the role of digital innovation in economic development. Discussions highlighted the importance of integrating blockchain and decentralized technologies into the national digital framework.

Zhao shared insights on global trends in cryptocurrency and fintech, emphasizing Pakistan’s potential to participate in the evolving Web 3.0 landscape. In turn, Nawaz Sharif described such international collaborations as opportunities to explore “pathways for development and opportunity” through advanced technologies.

Youth Empowerment Through IT Skills

A central theme of the discussion was youth engagement in the digital economy. The parties agreed on the importance of equipping young people with relevant IT and blockchain skills to prepare them for future opportunities in global tech sectors.

“We are training our youth with IT skills to prepare them for the global digital marketplace,” said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. “Punjab is fully committed to adopting future technologies, with a special focus on knowledge-based innovation and enterprise.”

Zhao also acknowledged the capabilities of Pakistani youth in digital sciences and reiterated his support for educational efforts in the sector.

Earlier in the day, Nawaz Sharif visited the Punjab Civil Secretariat, where he was briefed on 12 ongoing heritage restoration projects led by the Walled City Authority. He instructed authorities to ensure the preservation of historical landmarks and the removal of encroachments from key sites in Lahore.