Pakistan | Crypto

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) wants Pakistan to urgently clarify its plans for allocating power to Bitcoin mining amid the country’s electricity shortages and fiscal problems, according to a local news report. The IMF delegation is expected to hold a separate virtual session with Pakistan’s Finance Ministry to specifically discuss the electricity allocation. Last week, […] The post IMF asks for urgent clarification from Pakistan over 2,000MW power allocation to Bitcoin mining appeared first on CryptoSlate.

IMF questions Pakistan’s plan to allocate 2,000 megawatts of electricity for Bitcoin mining amid energy shortages and budget talks. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised concerns over Pakistan’s decision to allocate 2,000 megawatts of electricity for Bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence data centers amid ongoing negotiations tied to the country’s extended financial program. The initiative, announced last week, is designed to attract autonomous miners, blockchain companies, and AI firms to Pakistan. However, the IMF has raised red flags about the move, requesting urgent clarification from the Finance Ministry regarding the legality of crypto mining and the power allocations, particularly as the nation struggles with chronic energy shortages and fiscal pressures, according to a report by local news outlets Samaa. Read more

At Bitcoin 2025, Bilal Bin Saqib—the crypto assistant to the prime minister—announced that Pakistan is plotting its own Bitcoin reserve.

The move represents a significant shift from the Pakistani government's earlier position that cryptocurrencies would never be legalized. Bilal Bin Saqib, head of Pakistan’s crypto council, announced on May 28 that the country is moving to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve. Speaking at the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, Saqib said the government of Pakistan followed the United States’ lead in establishing a Bitcoin strategic reserve and is embracing pro-crypto regulatory policies. The government official told the audience: The announcement represents a significant departure from the government of Pakistan’s previous stance on cryptocurrencies, holding that crypto would never be legal in the country. Read more

Pakistan will allocate 2,000 megawatts of electricity for Bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. According to a Bloomberg report, the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) overseeing the project confirmed that three underutilized coal-powered plants, currently operating at just 15% capacity, will be repurposed to support this initiative. This development is part of the government’s […] The post Pakistan to allocate 2,000 MW for Bitcoin mining and AI data centers appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appointed Pakistan Crypto Council CEO Bilal Bin Saqib as special assistant on blockchain and crypto. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appointed Pakistan Crypto Council CEO Bilal Bin Saqib as his special assistant on blockchain and crypto. Saqib’s appointment takes effect immediately under Rule 4(6) of the Rules of Business, 1973. He has been granted the status of minister of state and will serve without salary or official benefits, according to a May 26 report in the English-language local news outlet, Pakistan Observer. The move follows a series of government initiatives aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s presence in the digital asset space. Just one day prior, Pakistan allocated 2,000 megawatts of surplus electricity exclusively for Bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence centers. Read more

Pakistan has allocated 2,000 megawatts of surplus electricity for Bitcoin mining and AI infrastructure, aiming to attract foreign investment. Pakistan has allocated 2,000 megawatts of surplus electricity exclusively for Bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence centers. The move is part of a broader digital transformation plan spearheaded by the Pakistan Crypto Council and backed by the Ministry of Finance, according to a May 25 report by local news outlet 24NewsHD TV Channel. In the first phase, the government plans to channel excess power into AI infrastructure and crypto mining operations. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said the decision is expected to attract billions in foreign investment while generating high-tech employment across the country. Read more