Pakistan Launches Bitcoin Mining and AI Data Center National Plan

In a bold move to lead in digital innovation, Pakistan has launched the first phase of a national plan to power Bitcoin mining and AI data centres.

Pakistan is taking a significant step towards digital innovation with the first phase of a national plan to launch Bitcoin mining and AI data centres.

This project will utilize 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity. The Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), supported by the Ministry of Finance, is spearheading this initiative.

The goal is to leverage surplus electricity, create high-tech employment opportunities, attract foreign investment, and generate substantial government revenue.

Announcing this initiative, Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb described it as a pivotal moment.

This step will transform extra energy into valuable ideas, facilitate investment, and generate foreign income, ultimately unlocking new avenues of economic potential, the minister noted.

Highlighting Pakistan’s strategic position as a global data hub, the official said the country is ideally located at the crossroads of Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Since the launch of the Pakistan Crypto Council, there has been an influx of interest from prominent Bitcoin miners and leading data firms worldwide. Several companies have already visited Pakistan for this purpose, and the arrival of more companies is anticipated in the coming weeks.

The finance ministry explained that the project will convert unused power into a valuable digital asset. Bitcoin mining and AI data centres require constant, high levels of energy for their operations, making them perfect for utilizing surplus power.

This project will redirect energy from plants that are not fully utilized, transforming a potential burden into a long-term source of income for the government.

Highlighting the potential of this initiative, Bilal Bin Saqib, CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council, said that the country could become a leader in the fields of artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency in the South Asian region.

With a focus on proper oversight and transparency, Pakistan can effectively manage this project to maximize its benefits.

This project will create high-tech jobs for Pakistanis and generate major government revenue in US dollars from Bitcoin mining. As cryptocurrency regulations develop, the possibility of Pakistan holding Bitcoin in a national wallet may also arise, marking a substantial shift in strategy.

Currently, Pakistan will be selling its power in Pakistani Rupees (PKR), but in the future, there will be an addition of revenue in US Dollars (USD) from Bitcoin.

Pakistan offers a combination of cheap and stable energy, as well as available land for setting up large-scale data centres.

Globally, the demand for AI data centres has surged to over 100GW, while the current level of supply stands at approximately 15GW.

This significant gap presents Pakistan with a unique opportunity to take a leading role with its existing energy capacity and the rapidly evolving legal framework for Web3.