How is crypto taxed in Pakistan?

Crypto tax in Pakistan sits in a gap between a new regulatory system and an older tax code. Pakistan licensed crypto firms for the first time in 2026, as the guide on how crypto is regulated in Pakistan explains, but as of October 2026 it has not written a dedicated crypto tax rate into law.

Is crypto taxed in Pakistan?

Yes, according to the tax authority. In June 2026 an FBR official told Arab News that crypto transactions are already taxable under existing laws, because Pakistan's tax code taxes income however it is earned. The official said profits from selling coins are treated as capital gains, and mining income is treated as business income.

What the law does not have is a crypto section setting a specific rate, holding period or reporting method. A 2025 commentary in Business Recorder by tax lawyers said rules on crypto ownership, transfer and reporting were still being developed, and that the gap left taxpayers uncertain.

What crypto tax rate did Pakistan consider in 2026?

Before the 2026-27 budget, officials looked at bringing crypto under section 37 of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001, the section on capital gains. An official told Arab News the rate on trading profits would likely fall between 10% and 20%. The FBR wanted it to resemble the tax on stock market gains, which is 15% for registered filers and 30% for non-filers, while the crypto regulator PVARA favoured a lower rate.

Business Recorder reported that a wider framework covering all crypto activity was also discussed, along with the difficulty of identifying users who trade off the books.

Did the Finance Act 2026 add a crypto tax?

It does not appear so. Published summaries of the Finance Bill 2026 income tax measures, and of the Finance Act 2026 after it was enacted, include no provisions on crypto or virtual assets. Local reporting after the budget speech said no new crypto taxes were introduced for 2026-27, leaving the earlier position unchanged.

That could change. Tax specialists writing in Business Recorder have proposed having exchanges withhold tax when users sell and register with the tax authority, and aligning with international tax-sharing standards such as the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework. None of these ideas was law as of October 2026.

What should crypto users in Pakistan keep track of?

Because the FBR treats crypto gains as taxable, keeping a record of what you paid, what you received and when matters. The guide to crypto cost basis explains how gains are usually worked out. Income from mining is a separate category from trading gains.

Rules differ by country and change often. Check the tax authority or a qualified professional for your own situation.