Islamabad, Pakistan – In a landmark move to attract foreign investment and strengthen its digital economy, Pakistan has allocated 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity to support Bitcoin mining and AI data centers. The announcement, made by the Ministry of Finance, signals Pakistan’s commitment to becoming a key player in the global digital asset and artificial intelligence sectors.
Transforming Surplus Energy into Digital Growth
The initiative, led by the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC)—a government-backed body under the Ministry of Finance—aims to repurpose underutilized energy resources into high-value digital infrastructure. Bilal Bin Saqib, CEO of the PCC, highlighted that this strategy will help convert idle power generation into a sovereign digital asset economy.
Key Benefits of the Initiative:
✅ Attracting foreign investment in blockchain and AI sectors
✅ Generating USD-denominated revenue through Bitcoin mining
✅ Leveraging surplus renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro)
✅ Positioning Pakistan as a regional hub for data and cloud infrastructure
Why Pakistan is an Ideal Destination for Crypto & AI Investments
1. Abundant Renewable Energy
Pakistan has significant untapped potential in wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. Ahtasam Ahmad, Energy Finance Lead at Renewables First, noted:
“Using clean energy sources allows the government to offer competitive tariffs since the marginal cost of generation is near zero. Redirecting surplus capacity to crypto mining and AI data centers is an economically sound decision.”
2. Strategic Geographical Location
With over 20 million crypto users and a population exceeding 250 million, Pakistan offers a massive digital market. Its location at the crossroads of Asia, the Middle East, and Europe makes it an ideal hub for data traffic and cloud computing.
3. Competitive Energy Costs & Infrastructure
Compared to neighboring markets like India and Singapore, Pakistan provides:
✔ Lower electricity costs
✔ Available land for data centers
✔ Improved digital connectivity (e.g., Africa-2 submarine cable)
Challenges & Future Roadmap
While the initiative is promising, experts caution about geographical mismatches. Most renewable energy is in the south, while data centers require water cooling resources in the north, potentially causing transmission bottlenecks.
Long-Term Plans Include:
🔹 Expanding AI and crypto infrastructure powered by renewables
🔹 Developing high-potential zones like the Gharo-Keti Bandar wind corridor
🔹 Offering tax breaks & duty exemptions to attract investors
Pakistan’s Vision for a Sovereign Digital Economy
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb called this a “pivotal shift in Pakistan’s digital and economic outlook,” emphasizing the potential to turn surplus power into innovation and international revenue.
Bilal Bin Saqib added:
“This energy-backed transformation allows Pakistan to generate USD revenues through mining while building domestic AI capacity. In the future, we could explore holding Bitcoin in a sovereign digital wallet as a hedge.”
International Interest Growing
Several global firms have already held talks with the PCC, with more delegations expected to visit Pakistan following this announcement.
Pakistan’s bold move to allocate 2,000 MW for Bitcoin mining and AI data centers positions it as an emerging leader in the digital economy. By leveraging renewable energy, strategic location, and favorable policies, the country is set to attract billions in foreign investment while fostering technological innovation.
🔗 Stay updated on Pakistan’s real estate and digital economy trends at PropertiesPakistan.com.
