Pakistan crypto energy plan halted by IMF over financing concerns
IMF pushback stalls Pakistan’s ambition to boost crypto mining
Pakistan's proposal to subsidize excess electricity for crypto mining and data center development has been rejected by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The country's Crypto Advisory Council had proposed using Pakistan’s geopolitical position and seasonal energy surplus to allocate 2,000 megawatts from the national grid to power both Bitcoin mining and AI data centers.
The plan aimed to attract foreign investment, create tech jobs, and position Pakistan as a regional hub for digital infrastructure.
Harsh global economic reality
However, the IMF—already skeptical of a previous plan to create a national Bitcoin reserve—dismissed the initiative, stating that the government did not consult with the IMF beforehand.
Pakistan’s economy is heavily dependent on external financing. The country is targeting around $20 billion in foreign loans during the 2025–2026 fiscal year, including new debt and refinancing from the World Bank and the Saudi Oil Fund.
Given these constraints, Pakistan is expected to delay its ambitions for crypto mining expansion.
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