Not PoK, Balochistan or Afghanistan: What’s giving Asim Munir sleepless nights? Pakistan’s real dilemma is…

A lot is unfolding in Pakistan, deepening the challenges for both the government and the army. Amid this ongoing turmoil, an overlooked development has emerged as a major concern for Army Chief Asim Munir. The issue is neither the unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the tensions in Balochistan and Afghanistan, nor the threat from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). This time, Pakistan’s worry stems from a “fatwa.” This religious decree may potentially disrupt Munir’s broader plans.

The development comes as Pakistan continues to make efforts to repair ties with US President Donald Trump. During his last term, he had openly criticised Islamabad, accusing it of supporting militants and questioning its role as a US ally. He had also highlighted the fact that Osama bin Laden was given shelter in Pakistan.

The Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA), the nation’s cryptocurrency regulator, has reportedly asked a leading Islamic seminary to determine the religious standing on different digital assets after a prominent Islamic scholar declared trading in cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum, Bitcoin, and stablecoins to be “haram” (forbidden) under Sharia law, Reuters reported.

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Fatwa puts Asim Munir in a difficult position

Bilal bin Saqib, chairman of PVARA, said the regulator sought further details after Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani, who is among the most influential Islamic clerics, ruled that cryptocurrency transactions are forbidden under Islamic principles, reports added. The request follows a religious decree released by the Jamia Darul Uloom Karachi seminary last month. He stated that cryptocurrencies are not presently classified as wealth under Islamic law, so they cannot be regarded as a valid medium of exchange or payment.

Pakistan’s Finance Ministry signed an agreement with World Liberty Financial (WLF), a company linked to US President Donald Trump’s family. Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif were present during the signing. Reports claimed the deal generated more than $500 million for Trump’s company while allowing Pakistan and Munir to strengthen ties with Trump.

What is a fatwa?

A fatwa is a formal, non-binding religious opinion issued by a qualified Islamic scholar interpreting Sharia law. While it is not a legally binding law, it holds significant moral and social importance when issued by a highly respected and prominent figure. Mufti Usmani’s rulings command unparalleled authority in Pakistan. As a global expert in Islamic finance and a senior scholar at Darul Uloom seminary in Karachi, his opinions influence the financial behaviour of millions of devout followers across the world.

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Mufti declared the fatwa as ‘Haram’

The core of the religious ruling is based on the belief that cryptocurrencies fail to meet Islamic standards for legitimate property or wealth. The fatwa argues that digital assets face excessive uncertainty (gharar) and speculative trading that mirrors gambling (maysir). As most crypto tokens and stablecoins fall under such categories, the Islamic cleric ruled them impermissible for Muslim traders. Put simply, the cryptocurrency that Pakistan was trying to legalise has now been declared haram. The government had already set up an authority to regulate the crypto industry.

Munir and Trump’s meeting

Munir reportedly went to lunch with Donald Trump at the White House, and the US President began calling him his “favorite field marshal.” Pakistan even got the opportunity to mediate on the Iran issue. This means that Pakistan used the crypto deal as a tool to appease Trump, with Munir at the forefront. Now, a fatwa has come out declaring this business as haram in Islam. The deal signed in Munir’s presence appears to be religiously wrong.

Did Munir promote something haram?

The development has sparked debate in Pakistan, with some questioning whether the government’s push for cryptocurrency was driven in part by an effort to strengthen ties with US President Donald Trump and bolster Army Chief Asim Munir’s influence.

Given Mufti Taqi Usmani’s standing in Pakistan, his fatwa is unlikely to be dismissed easily. At the same time, any reversal of the government’s crypto policy could complicate the relationship Pakistan has sought to build with Trump and his associates.

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