Pakistan unveils National Bitcoin Reserve and allocates 2,000 MW to Crypto Mining, AI data Centers

Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) Chief Executive Officer Bilal Bin Saqib has unveiled the country’s first government-led Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

Saqib was recently appointed as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Crypto and Blockchain, with the status of a minister of state. He has been on a tour of the United States seeking investment in Pakistan’s crypto markets.

He made the announcement about the reserve after delivering a keynote address before an elite audience, which included United States Vice President JD Vance, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr, at the Bitcoin Vegas 2025 in Las Vegas.

“Pakistan is no longer defined by its past. It is being reborn as a forward-looking hub of digital innovation — powered by its youth, sharpened by necessity, and led by a new generation of tech statesmen,” said Saqib, in a statement issued by his office.

According to a statement from the Finance Division, the government has announced the allocation of 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity to power Bitcoin mining and AI data centers. This is the first phase of a revolutionary national strategy to monetize surplus energy, attract foreign investment, and propel the nation to the forefront of the digital revolution. 

Read more: Pakistan will utilize surplus electricity for Bitcoin mining and AI data centers

 Under the Ministry of Finance’s leadership, the landmark initiative aims to turn Pakistan’s underutilized power capacity into a high-value asset. High electricity prices and a surplus of generation capacity are two issues confronting Pakistan’s energy sector. The landscape has been further complicated by the rapid expansion of solar energy, as more consumers turn to alternative energy sources to lower their high costs.  

The initiative is spearheaded by the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), a government-backed body, which is part of a broader strategy to monetize surplus electricity, create high-tech jobs, and attract foreign investment, the ministry said. 

The allocation is the first phase of a broader, multi-stage digital infrastructure roll-out, it added. 

The PCC’s CEO, Bilal Bin Saqib, emphasized the move’s economic potential, noting that repurposing surplus power into AI and cryptocurrency operations could generate U.S. dollar foreign exchange. According to Saqib’s statement, “This energy-backed digital transformation not only unlocks high-value investment but also enables the government to generate USD foreign exchange through Bitcoin mining.”  

The accumulation of Bitcoin in a national wallet, which would shift the focus from selling electricity in local currency to holding digital assets for economic stability, was one of his longer-term objectives. The recent landing of the 45,000-kilometer Africa-2 submarines internet cable, which boosts bandwidth and redundancy—key requirements for data-heavy AI operations—provides additional support for Pakistan’s digital ambitions.

The country’s 250 million people, 40 million of whom use cryptocurrencies, provide a solid foundation for the creation of a regional tech ecosystem. The allocation of 2,000 MW is just the beginning of a much larger, multi-stage rollout of digital infrastructure.  

Facilities powered by renewable energy, utilizing Pakistan’s wind, solar, and hydropower resources, as well as strategic partnerships with leading blockchain and AI firms, are anticipated future developments. Fintech and innovation hubs are also planned, supported by incentives like tax breaks, customs duty exemptions for imported equipment, and lower tax rates for AI infrastructure developers.