Government Allocates 2,000MW for Bitcoin Mining and AI Data Centers in Historic Digital Shift

This ambitious initiative is spearheaded by the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC)—a government-backed body under the Ministry of Finance—as part of a broader strategy to monetise surplus electricity

The Government of Pakistan has allocated 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity in the first phase of a national initiative to power Bitcoin mining and Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centers.

This ambitious initiative is being spearheaded by the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC)—a government-backed body operating under the Ministry of Finance—as part of a broader strategy to monetise surplus electricity, generate billions of dollars in revenue for the government, and attract billions of dollars in foreign direct investment to create high-tech jobs.

Announcing this historic initiative, Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb said that this strategic allocation marks a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s digital transformation journey.

“We are converting excess energy into innovation, investment, and international revenue. As a nation, we can achieve far greater heights if we dare to dream big and think differently. This initiative will unlock new possibilities for economic prosperity and technological leadership,” the minister stated.

Government Allocates 2,000MW for Bitcoin Mining and AI Data Centers in Historic Digital Shift

Pakistan is uniquely positioned—both geographically and economically—to become a global hub for data centers. Serving as a digital bridge between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East renders Pakistan the most strategic location in the world for optimal data flow and digital infrastructure deployment.

Since the establishment of the Pakistan Crypto Council, there has been an outpouring of interest from leading global Bitcoin miners and data infrastructure companies. Several international firms have already visited the country for exploratory discussions, and following this landmark announcement, more global players are expected to visit in the coming weeks.

Now, a portion of this idle energy—particularly from plants operating below capacity—will be redirected to create a new revenue stream and convert a long-standing financial liability into a sustainable opportunity.

Bilal Bin Saqib, CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council, highlighted the transformative potential of this initiative.

“With the right regulations in place to ensure transparency and international collaboration, Pakistan has the capability to become a global crypto and AI powerhouse. This isn’t about pouring money into a black hole; it’s about generating revenue for the government and the people of Pakistan. These operations will generate foreign exchange in USD through Bitcoin mining. As regulations evolve, we can begin accumulating Bitcoin directly into a national wallet—shifting from selling power in PKR to building wealth through digital assets,” explained Saqib.

Offering stable and affordable energy presents a highly competitive environment compared to regional counterparts like India and Singapore, where rising power costs and land scarcity limit scalability.

Pakistan’s strategic advantage is further underscored by the global context: while AI data center demand has soared to over 100 GW, global supply remains around 15 GW. This massive shortfall creates an unprecedented opportunity for countries like Pakistan with surplus power, land, and an emerging regulatory framework.

The country’s digital connectivity has also been significantly strengthened by the landing of the world’s largest submarine internet cable—the Africa-2 Cable Project, a 45,000-kilometre global network connecting 33 countries through 46 landing stations.

This cable, which now connects Pakistan to a vast digital network, will massively boost the country’s internet bandwidth, reduce latency, and enhance resilience through redundant fiber routes—all crucial for ensuring high availability and operational continuity of AI data centers.

With a population of over 250 million and more than 40 million crypto users, Pakistan is poised for leadership in the emerging landscape of digital services. Establishing local AI data centers will not only address growing concerns around data sovereignty but will also enhance cybersecurity, improve digital service delivery, and empower national capabilities in AI and cloud infrastructure. These centers are expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, catalyzing the development of a skilled workforce in engineering, IT, and data sciences.

This announcement marks only the first phase of a broader, multi-stage digital infrastructure rollout. Future developments are expected to include renewable energy-powered facilities—leveraging Pakistan’s immense wind (50,000 MW potential in the Gharo-Keti Bandar corridor), solar, and hydropower resources—strategic international partnerships with leading blockchain and AI companies, and the establishment of fintech and innovation hubs. These efforts will be complemented by proposed incentives such as tax holidays, customs duty exemptions on equipment, and reduced taxes for AI infrastructure developers.

Pakistan’s combination of surplus power, geographic advantage, advanced subsea cable connectivity, renewable energy potential, and a large, digitally engaged population creates a compelling case for becoming a regional epicenter of Web3, AI, and digital innovation.

With the right incentives, strategic investments, and collaborative partnerships, Pakistan is positioning itself not only as a destination for global digital infrastructure but also as a sovereign economy that can accumulate digital assets, export digital services, and lead in the next generation of technological transformation.