The Worldwide Financial Fund (IMF) has raised issues over Pakistan’s resolution to allocate 2,000 megawatts of electrical energy for Bitcoin mining and synthetic intelligence knowledge facilities amid ongoing negotiations tied to the nation’s prolonged monetary program.
The initiative, introduced final week, is designed to draw autonomous miners, blockchain firms, and AI corporations to Pakistan.
Nevertheless, the IMF has raised pink flags in regards to the transfer, requesting pressing clarification from the Finance Ministry concerning the legality of crypto mining and the ability allocations, notably because the nation struggles with persistent vitality shortages and monetary pressures, in line with a report by native information retailers Samaa.
Per the report, the IMF was not consulted previous to the announcement and is questioning the authorized standing of cryptocurrencies in Pakistan. The Fund has additionally voiced issues over potential impacts on energy tariffs and useful resource distribution.
“There’s a concern of additional powerful talks from the IMF on this initiative,” an official concerned within the ongoing negotiations reportedly mentioned. “The financial workforce is already dealing with stiff questions, and this transfer has solely added to the complexities of the talks.”
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IMF plans particular session on Bitcoin mining plan
The IMF delegation, at present conducting digital discussions with Pakistani officers, is anticipated to schedule a separate session devoted to the federal government’s electrical energy plan for Bitcoin (BTC) mining and AI operations.
The electrical energy allocation is a part of a wider nationwide technique to combine digital property into Pakistan’s economic system. A key element of this plan is the institution of the Pakistan Digital Asset Authority (PDAA), accredited by the Finance Ministry on Could 21.
The PDAA will regulate exchanges, wallets, stablecoins, and DeFi platforms whereas overseeing the tokenization of nationwide property in keeping with worldwide frameworks equivalent to these of the Monetary Motion Activity Drive (FATF).
The event follows Pakistan’s high-profile debut of its first strategic Bitcoin reserve on the Bitcoin Vegas 2025 convention final week — an occasion signaling Islamabad’s pivot towards digital finance.
Through the convention, Bilal bin Saqib, crypto adviser to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, introduced the launch of a nationwide Bitcoin pockets and the federal government’s dedication to help the digital asset sector.
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Pakistan alerts new strategy to crypto sector
Pakistan’s authorities started shifting its stance on cryptocurrencies earlier this 12 months with the proposal of a “Nationwide Crypto Council” in February 2025.
The physique was tasked with drafting a complete regulatory framework for digital property and attracting overseas funding to the nation’s rising crypto ecosystem.
Among the many Council’s early proposals have been plans to make the most of surplus vitality for Bitcoin mining and knowledge middle operations, in addition to constructing a nationwide Bitcoin reserve.
Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao was additionally appointed as an adviser to the Council in April. On this position, he’s anticipated to supply steerage on crypto rules, blockchain infrastructure, and digital asset adoption.
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