Pakistan

In brief

Bilal Bin Saqib was appointed special assistant to Pakistan’s prime minister on blockchain and crypto.
The country will also allocate 2,000 MW of surplus electricity to bitcoin mining and AI centers.
Bin Saqib is also an advisor to World Liberty Financial.

The Pakistani government has appointed a special assistant to the prime minister on blockchain and cryptocurrency, mirroring the U.S. approach to state involvement in the digital asset sector, according to local media reports on Monday

The newly created role has been given to Bilal Bin Saqib, who is also a chief advisor to the finance minister and the CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council.

A graduate of the London School of Economics, Bin Saqib was featured in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and received an MBE from King Charles III for his work in social impact.

The appointment comes as Pakistan ramps up efforts to position itself as a crypto-friendly economy.

This week, the government announced plans to allocate 2,000 megawatts of surplus electricity to bitcoin mining as part of a broader plan to support mining and AI data centers.

The initiative, driven by the Pakistan Crypto Council, is aimed at generating revenue, creating high-tech jobs, and attracting foreign investment.

Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao joined the council as an advisor in early April after serving a four-month U.S. prison sentence for violating anti-money laundering laws.

But as in the U.S., Pakistan’s crypto embrace has raised concerns. The push follows a sharp decline in foreign direct investment, down 45% in February compared to a year earlier, according to English-language outlet Pakistan Today.

In January, Pakistan hired a U.S. lobbyist to facilitate meetings in Washington. During a visit, the country’s interior minister reportedly appealed for more U.S. investment, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Shortly after, it began to forge ties with Trump-linked crypto project World Liberty Financial.

Bin Saqib became an advisor to the project in April, shortly after a visit to Pakistan by co-founder Zach Witkoff.

During the visit, Witkoff and his co-founders signed an MOU with the ministry that opens up the possibility of World Liberty’s stablecoin being used in the country for trade and remittances. WLF has been contacted for comment.

The Wall Street Journal also reported that Zhao was “helping facilitate some introductions for World Liberty’s foreign travels.” Zhao denied the claims and called the article “another hit piece.”

Edited by Sebastian Sinclair

Daily Debrief Newsletter

Start every day with the top news stories right now, plus original features, a podcast, videos and more.

Source link

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

Pakistan’s government has moved to put its excess electricity to work in a surprising way. It has set aside 2,000 megawatts of surplus power for Bitcoin mining and artificial-intelligence centers.

This decision aims to turn an energy glut into an economic boost. It comes as part of a wider plan backed by the Finance Ministry and pushed by the Pakistan Crypto Council.

Surplus Power Allocation

According to local reports, Pakistan’s grid often produces more power than it needs. Now, that extra juice will be sent to data halls and mining rigs.

The first phase kicks off immediately. It will feed AI centers and crypto farms. Officials say this move could draw in billions in foreign cash. It should also open up tech jobs in cities and towns across the country.

Pakistan’s Finance Ministry announced it will allocate 2,000 megawatts of surplus power to support Bitcoin mining and AI center development as part of its national digital transformation strategy. The government has introduced tax incentives to attract foreign firms, with several…

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) May 25, 2025

Tax Breaks And Investment

Based on reports, the Finance Ministry has rolled out special tax breaks for AI sites. Bitcoin miners will also get duty exemptions on their gear. Already, foreign delegations have been touring Pakistan to see the setup.

They’re checking out potential deals for hardware, software, and data-center space. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb told reporters that clear rules and perks will make Pakistan a top spot for tech investors.

BTC is now trading at $107,616. Chart: TradingView

Creating An Oversight Authority

The government is also setting up a Pakistan Digital Assets Authority. This new body will license and regulate exchanges, wallets, and token platforms. It will keep an eye on stablecoins, DeFi apps, and other blockchain services.

The digital assets body is even planning to “tokenize” national assets and public debt. In future, it could manage how surplus electricity is used for mining in a way that’s logged and audited.

Environmental Balance

Phase two of the plan brings a green twist. Officials promise to tap renewable sources, like solar and wind, for mining sites. That should help limit carbon emissions and ease public concerns.

Pakistan already faces air-quality issues in major cities. By steering mining operations toward renewables, the government hopes to cut fuel use at thermal plants and balance power needs.

In global rankings, Pakistan came in ninth on Chainalysis’s 2024 crypto adoption index. Based on Statista data, the country is on track to have over 27 million crypto users by 2025. That’s more than 10% of its 247 million people. These figures underline a fast-growing market of retail traders and institutional players alike.

Critics caution that high mining loads would overburden local grids unless properly managed. They also refer to price fluctuations of Bitcoin, which might transform a profitable scheme into a monetary bet.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.