Pakistan to Use Surplus Power for Bitcoin Mining, AI Data Centers: Report

Pakistan will begin using some of its excess electricity to power bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, a major step in energy and technology policy aimed at converting excess capacity into economic opportunity, Reuters reports. The announcement was made on Wednesday by Bilal Bin Saqib, chairman of the Pakistan Cryptocurrency Council and adviser to the finance minister, who also noted that talks had been held with a number of mining companies.

JUST NOW: Pakistan plans to use some of its surplus electricity to mine #Bitcoin, Reuters reports. pic.twitter.com/j1WTriVvw8

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) April 9, 2025

Pakistan’s power sector has long faced structural challenges, including high electricity tariffs and persistent excess capacity. Using the surplus for digital infrastructure is seen as a way to modernize the economy and increase returns on energy investments.

The announcement comes just two days after the appointment of Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the founder of Binance, as Pakistan's new strategic advisor on cryptocurrency issues.

JUST NOW: PAKISTAN APPOINTS FORMER BINANCE CEO CZ AS CRYPTOCURRENCY STRATEGIC ADVISOR pic.twitter.com/oWBoBDWjLg

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) April 7, 2025

The initiative is led by Saqib, who in a March 25 interview with Bloomberg called on international companies to consider the country’s Bitcoin mining capabilities. “We welcome companies to come to Pakistan to evaluate Bitcoin mining opportunities,” Saqib said. When asked why now is the right time to embrace Bitcoin, he responded, “Why not? If not now, then when?”

Saqib also noted recent developments in U.S. crypto policy under President Donald Trump, whom he called “the biggest crypto bull catalyst in history.” He added, “I think Trump is changing things in a big way. Trump signed an executive order directing regulators to take digital assets into account, forming a White House crypto advisory group and creating a U.S. Bitcoin Strategic Reserve.”

“We have to understand what this means,” Saqib continued. “It means the world’s largest economy is creating a valuable national asset, just like it accumulates gold or oil to provide economic security and strength. I think the U.S. is setting the tone for the world. Trump is making cryptocurrency a national priority, and every country, including Pakistan, will have to follow his example or risk being left behind.”

This post about Pakistan using excess electricity reserves for Bitcoin mining and AI data centers first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and was written by Nick.

Source: cryptonews.net