Pakistan will power some of the excess electricity to bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence (AI) data centres, driving significant changes in energy and technology policies aimed at turning excess capacity into economic opportunities. The announcement was made on Wednesday by Bilal bin Sakib, head of Pakistan’s Crypto Council and adviser to the Minister of Finance.
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Pakistan plans to allocate some of the surplus electricity to #bitcoin mining, Reuters reports. pic.twitter.com/j1wtrivvw8
– Bitcoin Magazine (@bitcoinmagazine) April 9, 2025
Pakistan’s energy sector has long fought structural challenges, such as high power tariffs and chronic excess capacity. Taking advantage of the surplus of digital infrastructure is seen as a way to modernize the economy and improve returns on energy investments.
The announcement comes just two days after the government appointed Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) as Pakistan’s new strategic adviser on Crypto.
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– April 7, 2025, Bitcoin Magazine (@bitcoinmagazine)
The initiative is led by Saqib, who invited global companies to explore the possibilities of Bitcoin mining in a March 25 interview with Bloomberg. “We welcome visiting Pakistan to assess Bitcoin mining,” Sakib said. When asked why now is the right time to accept Bitcoin, he replied, “Well, why not?
Saqib also praised the recent developments in US crypto policy under President Donald Trump. He described it as “the biggest bullish catalyst for codes in history.” He added, “I think Trump is essentially turning the script over. Trump has signed an executive order that directs regulators to address digital assets, form the White House crypto advisory team, and directs regulators to create a strategic Bitcoin reserve for the US.”
“We need to understand what that means,” continued Saqib. “So the world’s largest economy means it generates valuable national assets similar to how it stocks up gold and oil for its economic security and strength. I think the US is setting the tone of the world. Trump has made crypto a priority for its citizens, and it is put in danger that all countries, including Pakistan, will follow or be left behind.”
This Pakistan posts for using surplus electricity in Bitcoin mining and AI data centres: The report was first published in Bitcoin Magazine and written by NIK.
