The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised concerns in Pakistan’s decision to allocate 2,000 megawatts of electricity for Bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence data amid continuous negotiations tied to the country’s expanded financial financial program.
The initiative, announced last weekis designed to attract autonomous miners, blockchain companies, and AI companies in Pakistan.
However, the IMF has raised red flags about the move, demanding urgent clarification from the financial ministry regarding the legality of crypto mining and the allocation of power, especially as the country fights chronic energy deficiency and fiscal pressures, According to in a report of local news outlets.
Each report, the IMF was not consulted before the announcement and questioned the legal stance of cryptocurrencies in Pakistan. The fund also expressed concerns over potential effects on electric tariffs and resource distribution.
“There is fear of further tough conversation from the IMF at this initiative,” an officer involved in the ongoing conversation that has been said. “The economic group is already facing tough questions, and this step has only been added to the complexity of the conversations.”
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IMF plans special session in bitcoin mining plan
The IMF delegation, which is currently conducting virtual discussions with Pakistan officials, is expected to schedule a separate session dedicated to the government’s electricity plan for Bitcoin (Btc) Mining operations and AI.
Electric allocation is part of a broader national approach to combine digital assets with the Pakistan economy. A key element of this plan is the establishment of the Pakistan Digital Asset Authority (PDAA), approved by the Ministry of Finance on May 21.
The PDAA will regulate exchanges, wallets, stablecoins, and defi platforms while administering the tokenization of national possession of international frameworks such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Progress follows Pakistan’s high-profile Debut of this first strategic bitcoin reserve At the Bitcoin Vegas 2025 conference last week – an event that signed the Islamabad pivot to digital finance.
During the conference, Bilal Bin Saqib, Crypto advisor to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, announced the launch of a national purse of Bitcoin and the government’s promise to support the digital asset sector.
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Pakistan has signed a new approach to the crypto sector
The Pakistan government began to move its bearing to cryptocurrencies earlier this year with the Proposal of a “national crypto council” In February 2025.
The body is the duty of drafting a comprehensive framework of regulation for digital possession and attraction of foreign investment in the country’s growing ecosystem ecosystem.
Among the first measures of the council were the plans Use excess energy for Bitcoin mining and data center operations, as well as the development of a national bitcoin reserve.
Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao also designated as a council advisor In April. In this paper, he is expected to provide guide to crypto regulations, blockchain infrastructure, and adoption of digital assets.
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