In a bold move to revitalize its energy and tech sectors, Pakistan is planning to channel its surplus electricity into Bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. Bilal Bin Saqib, the head of Pakistan’s Crypto Council and adviser to the finance minister, confirmed the initiative, saying the government has already engaged in talks with several international mining firms to explore partnerships.
Pakistan’s energy grid has long suffered from inefficiencies and high tariffs, leading to a paradox where excess generation capacity remains underutilized. The situation has been further complicated by the rapid adoption of solar energy, as more households and businesses turn to cheaper, alternative sources. By redirecting excess power to high-demand digital infrastructure like Bitcoin mining and AI, the country hopes to unlock new economic opportunities.
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A key figure in this initiative is Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, who will serve as a strategic adviser to the Pakistan Crypto Council. Despite his legal troubles last year, Zhao’s expertise in blockchain infrastructure and global fintech strategy is expected to support regulatory frameworks and national digital initiatives, including education, mining, and digital currency adoption.
Saqib emphasized the country’s untapped potential, highlighting that Pakistan has 15–20 million crypto users and ranks among the top 10 global crypto adopters. As the third-largest freelancer economy globally, Pakistan is also seeking to become a major player in the emerging tech landscape. Plans are underway to create regulatory sandboxes to allow safe experimentation in fintech, while also focusing on youth upskilling in AI and blockchain technologies.
