Waqar Zaka, recognized as a Pakistani cryptocurrency expert and entrepreneur, emerged victorious in the solo trader round of the Bitcoin World Cup conducted by Bitget, a prominent global cryptocurrency exchange. Additionally, he serves as a television host and is actively involved in advocacy work.
Multifaceted Journey
Zaka, a Civil Engineer from the 2008-09 batch of NED University of Engineering & Technology, entered the professional arena by joining ARY Digital, where he hosted the TV reality show “Living on the Edge.” Subsequently, he went on to conceive and host additional reality shows such as “XPOSED,” “King of Street Magic,” “Desi Kudiyan,” and “The Cricket Challenge,” all broadcast on ARY Musik.
Political Ventures and Social Commentary
In the 2013 Pakistani general election, Waqar Zaka contested the National Assembly seat from Karachi NA-253 constituency, but faced defeat, securing only 31 votes out of a total of 211,768 cast. Zaka, who ran as part of his show ‘Main Banoonga Minister,’ expressed that his candidacy aimed to provide an entertaining demonstration of the election process to the youth. He emphasized the importance of youth involvement in the system and ran on a platform focused on prioritizing and enhancing access to entertainment and the internet.
In April 2019, Zaka initiated a political movement in Pakistan named Tehreek-e-Tech. By May 2019, he publicly apologized for what he perceived as negatively impacting young minds through his TV reality show ‘Living on the Edge.
The Rise and Fall of 'Champions with Waqar Zaka' and Transition to 'Headphone Show
Commencing in November 2019, Waqar Zaka took on the role of hosting a TV reality show, “Champions with Waqar Zaka,” aired on BOL Network. However, in January 2020, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) banned the show, citing its content as “offensive towards social, religious, and cultural values of this country.” The Islamabad High Court upheld PEMRA’s decision to ban the show in April 2020.
Subsequent to the suspension of “Champions,” Zaka ventured into hosting a late-night YouTube show titled “Headphone Show.”
Accolades and Recognitions
In 2017, Waqar Zaka was honored with an award from Abdul Qadeer Khan in recognition of his social and humanitarian efforts in the conflict-ridden regions of Syria and Myanmar. Furthermore, Zaka was nominated by Binance for the Bananas Influencer Awards 2021 on June 25, with a total of five global influencers in contention for the recognition. In addition to this, he was bestowed with the Social Media Icon of the Year 2021 Award in the UAE.
Waqar Zaka’s Online Academy and Pakistan’s First Crypto Mining Farm
Waqar Zaka is pioneering advancements in the cryptocurrency realm with the establishment of an online academy designed to simplify complex concepts for the average person. Additionally, he is embarking on the creation of Pakistan’s inaugural crypto mining farm, utilizing hydropower with the ambitious goal of propelling Pakistan into the ranks of the most developed nations. Notably, Zaka had previously advocated for the legalization of cryptocurrencies in Pakistan through his political party, Tehreek-e-Technology Pakistan.
Pioneering Cryptocurrency Advancements
Waqar Zaka has spearheaded TenUp, Pakistan’s first blockchain-based microfinance platform. As a self-represented petitioner in the Sindh High Court, he successfully advocated for the legalization of cryptocurrency in Pakistan. Through TenUp, Zaka introduced a currency for the State Bank of Pakistan, envisioning it as a PayPal alternative for faster transactions. He actively promotes legalizing digital currency to reduce national debt and elevate Pakistan’s economic standing. Zaka offers free services for blockchain development, prompting the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to establish Pakistan’s first advisory committee for cryptocurrency, acknowledged by Advisor Zia Ullah Bangash for Zaka’s support.
Championing Digital Rights
Waqar Zaka actively fights against internet censorship and has achieved notable victories in legal battles. He successfully lifted the ban on PUBG in the Islamabad High Court and single-handedly filed a case to upgrade the outdated Computer course in Sindh Board, leading to a court order for syllabus modernization. Zaka’s significant accomplishments include helping exonerate three men accused of blasphemy in Dunga Bunga, where he traveled from Nepal, removed a false FIR, and exposed baseless accusations through Facebook streaming, emphasizing the need to protect minorities in Pakistan.
Government Appointment and Philanthropic Gesture
Waqar Zaka, appointed as a Crypto Expert by the Government of Pakistan within the advisory committee, aligns with the resolution and recommendation of the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Digital Assets. In a pledge of commitment to his role, Zaka declared his voluntary service for the country through an announcement on his official Twitter Account.
Additionally, Zaka extended his support to Olympian Arshad Nadeem, presenting PKR 1 million in recognition of Nadeem’s exceptional performance in Javelin Throw at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 during their meeting.
Crypto Milestones and Recognition
Waqar Zaka’s TenUp Smart, Pakistan’s inaugural cryptocurrency token, has achieved international recognition by being listed on the OKX exchange. Additionally, Zaka is collaborating with NED University to launch Pakistan’s first metaverse project.
In acknowledgment of his influence, Zaka received the Social Media Icon of the Year Award 2020 at the PISA UAE awards and served as a jury member for the PISA Awards 2021.
Renowned for his accurate crypto market predictions, Zaka demonstrated his prowess during a live session on his Facebook page, earning $7800 from Bitcoin predictions.
Jury Members of PISA.
Waqar Zaka, appointed as an expert content maker, served as a judge for the Pakistan International Screen Awards (PISA) in 2021 and 2022. Additionally, he assumed the role of a jury member for the entire awards, alongside esteemed individuals from the media industry.
Film production
Waqar Zaka marks his entry into film production with ‘Babylicious,’ his debut Pakistani film. Serving as the executive producer, the movie stars Shehroz Sabzwari and Syra Yousuf in lead roles.
Bitcoin Leverage Trading World Cup
Waqar Zaka achieved victory in the solo trader round of the KCGI 2023 Bitcoin Leverage Trading World Cup, hosted by the Bitget crypto exchange in September 2023. The competition drew participation from 3600 traders worldwide.