In a region long overshadowed by historical hostilities and fragile diplomacy, an unexpected shift is unfolding — and at its heart is a young Pakistani entrepreneur-turned-diplomat, Bilal Bin Saqib. At a time when traditional channels of diplomacy have reached their limits, Bin Saqib’s bold, tech-forward approach is quietly reshaping Pakistan’s image and recalibrating its relationship with the United States.
With tensions once again flaring along the Line of Control, it wasn’t a conventional politician or seasoned military strategist who found himself at the centre of a potential peace pivot — but the CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC). Bilal Bin Saqib, known more for his humanitarian work and blockchain advocacy, has emerged as the unlikely architect of a new era of diplomacy, leveraging personal relationships and digital alliances to bridge divides that decades of diplomacy could not.
At the heart of this unexpected geopolitical turn is a formal alignment between Pakistan’s PCC and World Liberty Financial (WLFi) — a blockchain-based financial initiative with close ties to former U.S. President Donald Trump. Bilal’s appointment as an Advisor to WLFi on April 15, 2025, signalled more than just a professional milestone — it marked the beginning of what some analysts are calling “tech diplomacy.”
While Washington remains diplomatically cautious, and New Delhi officially downplays Trump’s claim of mediating in the South Asian standoff, the strategic implications of Bilal’s leadership cannot be ignored. His ability to formalize ties with American financial-political powerhouses is shifting the lens through which Pakistan is perceived — no longer merely as a reactive actor in global politics, but as a proactive driver of innovation and peace.
Unlike traditional power-brokers, Bilal’s influence stems not from rhetoric or military strength, but from relationships, vision, and platforms. A London School of Economics graduate, Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and MBE recipient, his resume reads more like that of a tech visionary than a statesman. Yet, it is precisely this blend of entrepreneurship and empathy — honed through initiatives like Tayaba (which provided sustainable water solutions to Pakistan’s rural poor) and One Million Meals (which supported NHS frontline workers during COVID-19) — that gives him the credibility to walk both humanitarian and geopolitical corridors.
India, naturally, is watching closely. There is understandable scepticism about Trump’s alleged involvement in de-escalating cross-border tensions, but there is also growing recognition that crypto-led partnerships like the PCC-WLFi accord may redefine what soft power looks like in the 21st century. Technology, not tanks, may now set the tone for engagement between nuclear-armed neighbours.
Indian policy circles are beginning to acknowledge that Bilal Bin Saqib’s role represents something profoundly new. By placing blockchain and decentralized finance at the centre of strategic conversations, he is offering a model of influence not rooted in historical grievances, but in shared futures. In this paradigm, Pakistan is no longer simply reacting to global narratives — it is scripting one of its own.
What’s striking — even admirable — is that Bilal’s approach does not seek to threaten or provoke, but rather to invite collaboration. His leadership demonstrates how young South Asians, regardless of national boundaries, are capable of reframing old conflicts through fresh tools. Diplomacy, once confined to embassies and summits, now flows through code, cooperation, and consensus-building.
In a world desperate for innovation amidst conflict, Bilal Bin Saqib may well be a case study in what future leadership looks like. From Delhi to D.C., and beyond, the message is clear: the future of diplomacy might just lie in the hands of technologists, not traditionalists.
And if that’s the case — South Asia, and indeed the world, may be witnessing the early chapters of a new diplomatic playbook, authored not in war rooms, but in digital boardrooms.
