IMF Flags Concern Over Pakistan’s Bitcoin Mining Plan

IMF Flags Concern Over Pakistan’s Bitcoin Mining Plan

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised concerns about Pakistan’s decision to allocate 2000 megawatts of electricity for bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence data centers amid continuous negotiations related to the country’s financial program.

Initiative, Announced last weekIt is designed to attract independent miners, Blockchain companies and artificial intelligence companies to Pakistan.

However, the International Monetary Fund has raised red flags about this step, and requested an urgent clarification from the Ministry of Finance regarding the legitimacy of coding and force mining, especially since the nation is struggling with the lack of chronic energy and financial pressure, According to To a report issued by local news means.

According to the report, the International Monetary Fund was not consulted before the announcement and wonders about the legal status of encrypted currencies in Pakistan. The Fund also expressed its concerns about the potential effects of energy tariffs and the distribution of resources.

“There is a fear of more difficult talks from the International Monetary Fund in this initiative,” said an official involved in the ongoing negotiations. “The economic team is already facing severe questions, and this step has only added to the complexities of the conversations.”

Related to: Pakistan announces the strategic bitcoin reserves

The International Monetary Fund plans for the Bitcoin Mining Plan

It is expected that the International Monetary Fund delegation, which is currently being discussed by virtual discussions with Pakistani officials, will determine a separate session dedicated to the government’s electricity plan for Bitcoin (BTCMining and artificial intelligence.

Electricity allocation is part of a broader national strategy to integrate digital assets into the Pakistani economy. One of the main components of this plan is the establishment of the Pakistan Digital Assets Authority (PDAA), which was approved by the Ministry of Finance on May 21.

PDAA will organize the platforms, portfolios, and Defi platforms while overseeing the symbol of national assets in line with international frameworks such as those of the Financial Labor Division (FATF).

It follows the prominent Pakistani development For the first time from the first strategic bitcoin reserves At the Bitcoin Vegas 2025 conference last week – an event indicating the Axis of Islamabad towards digital financing.

During the conference, Bilal bin Sakib, an encoder to Prime Minister Shaibaz Sharif, announced the launch of the Bitcoin National Portfolio and the government’s commitment to support the digital assets sector.

Bilal bin Sakib at the Bitcoin 2025 conference announces Bitcoin strategic reserves. Source: Cointelegraph

Related to: Pakistan appoints a special assistant to the Prime Minister on Blockchain and Crypto

Pakistan refers to a new approach to the encryption sector

The government of Pakistan began to change its position on cryptocurrencies earlier this year with Suggestion of the “National Cryotation Council” In February 2025.

The body was assigned to formulate a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets and attract foreign investments to the growing environmental system in the country.

Among the council’s early proposals were plans for Take advantage of the surplus of energy in bitcoin mining Data center operations, in addition to building a national bitcoin reserve.