Pakistan allocates 2,000 megawatts of power to Bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence (AI) data centres.
A report from Bloomberg said the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), which oversees the project, has confirmed that three underutilized coal-powered plants, currently operating at just 15% capacity, will be reused to support the initiative.
The development is part of a wider government effort to legalize encryption, attract foreign investment and modernize its technological infrastructure.
Bitcoin mining researcher Daniel Batten said that if half of the allocated power is heading for BTC mining, the country can generate around 17,000 BTC per year, assuming they are operating under close to optimal conditions.
He adds that the development could spark regional competition, suggesting India could follow suit.
Pakistan’s crypto ambitions have increased significantly, with several notable movements and projects launched over the past few months.
The government began laying the regulatory foundations for emerging industries, appointing Binance founder Changpeng Zhao as PCC advisor and partnered with Donald Trump-related mandatory venture World Liberty Financial (WLFI) to promote the adoption of blockchain.
IMF pressure is on Pakistan
Pakistan’s strategy places it in the same group as several other countries that accept digital assets despite aggressive lending agreements with the International Monetary Fund.
The country recently secured a $2.1 billion IMF package to support an economic recovery, but remains committed to expanding its crypto footprint.
Vanek’s research director Matthew Sigel noted that other countries with similar approaches include El Salvador, Kenya, Ethiopia and Argentina. These countries are pursuing several Bitcoin-related projects under the IMF programme.
The IMF has repeatedly warned that exposure to Bitcoin can pose financial risks, especially when the government is directly involved in the purchase or mining of assets.
Still, these countries have not stopped adoption plans. El Salvador stands out as an important example. Despite the IMF pushback, it continues to expand its Bitcoin reserve and currently owns over 6,000 BTC, worth $678 million.