Pakistan’s government has moved to allocate 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity in the first phase of a national plan to support Bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence (AI) data centers.

According to Pakistan’s Finance Minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, this is the country’s first significant step towards becoming a digital economy. He said, “This allocation of power is not just about crypto or AI—it’s about shaping a digital future for the country.”

The minister added that excess electricity could now be used as a “source of national income.” 

A Finance Division statement mentioned that the initiative, backed by PCC (Pakistan Crypto Council), a government-backed body, is following a broad strategy to create high-tech jobs, attract billions of dollars in foreign direct investment, and generate billions in government income. 

PCC CEO, Bilal bin Saqib said, “This energy-backed digital transformation not only unlocks high-value investment but enables the government to generate foreign exchange in USD through bitcoin mining.”

The statement further added that Pakistan is both economically and geographically positioned to become a “global hub for data centers” because it is a digital bridge between the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.

Pakistan government to introduce tax incentives

Sources close to the Ministry mentioned that the government may soon introduce tax exemptions to boost the development of blockchain infrastructure and AI. These incentives may include an easing of income tax and import tariffs for companies investing in data centers. 

The government also revealed its plans to develop renewable energy-powered data centers in the next phase. Officials have already confirmed that the new Africa-2 Submarine Sable Project will boost the country’s internet connectivity. 

This undersea cable links 46 landing stations with 33 countries across Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East. It is expected to boost the country’s bandwidth, add backup routes, and lower latency, all of which are essential for data-intensive blockchain and AI operations. 

Earlier this week, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir met with Pakistan Crypto Council CEO Bilal Bin Saqib to explore the country’s move into digital finance.

During the meeting, Saqib highlighted the key part young Pakistanis will play in this shift. He said, “The Pakistan Crypto Council exists because our youth demand a seat at the global tech table. We are building for a generation that sees digital finance, decentralization, and AI as opportunities to lead, innovate, and uplift the nation.”

Saqib then briefed the army chief on the council’s recent activities. He noted a visit by a World Liberty Financial delegation and by Binance founder Changpeng Zhao. He also spoke about ongoing talks to shape regulations and about partnerships meant to build digital skills and boost the country’s standing on the world stage.

Trump’s World Liberty Financial (WLF) has also signed a Letter of Intent with the Pakistan Crypto Council. The goal is to speed up blockchain projects, stablecoin use, and wider DeFi adoption in Pakistan.

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