The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised concerns over Pakistan’s plan to allocate 2,000 megawatts of electricity for Bitcoin mining and AI data centers, questioning its feasibility amid the country’s energy shortages and ongoing bailout negotiations.
According to local outlet Samaa, the IMF was not consulted ahead of the government’s announcement last week and has since requested clarification from Pakistan’s Finance Ministry. The Fund reportedly questioned both the legal standing of cryptocurrency operations in the country and the potential impact on power tariffs and energy distribution.
“There is a fear of further tough talks from the IMF on this initiative,” an official close to the negotiations told Samaa. The issue is expected to be addressed in a dedicated session during the IMF’s ongoing virtual discussions with Pakistani officials.
The mining initiative is part of a broader strategy to integrate digital assets into the national economy. On May 21, Pakistan’s Finance Ministry approved the creation of the Pakistan Digital Asset Authority (PDAA), a regulatory body tasked with overseeing exchanges, wallets, stablecoins, and DeFi platforms.
The plan also includes launching a national Bitcoin wallet and building a strategic Bitcoin reserve, initiatives that were unveiled during the Bitcoin Vegas 2025 conference. Bilal bin Saqib, crypto adviser to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, presented the government’s roadmap for digital asset adoption at the event.
The IMF’s intervention follows a broader pivot by Islamabad toward embracing digital finance. In February, Pakistan proposed forming a National Crypto Council to draft regulatory frameworks and attract foreign investment. Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao was appointed as an adviser to the Council in April.
Despite mounting excitement around Pakistan’s entry into the digital asset space, the IMF’s response highlights the growing tension between crypto innovation and the fiscal realities facing emerging markets.
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