IMF Flags Concern Over Pakistan’s Bitcoin Mining Plan

The Worldwide Financial Fund (IMF) has raised issues over Pakistan’s resolution to allocate 2,000 megawatts of electrical energy for Bitcoin mining and synthetic intelligence knowledge facilities amid ongoing negotiations tied to the nation’s prolonged monetary program.

The initiative, introduced final week, is designed to draw autonomous miners, blockchain corporations, and AI companies to Pakistan.

Nonetheless, the IMF has raised pink flags in regards to the transfer, requesting pressing clarification from the Finance Ministry relating to the legality of crypto mining and the facility allocations, notably because the nation struggles with continual vitality shortages and financial pressures, in keeping with a report by native information retailers Samaa.

Per the report, the IMF was not consulted previous to the announcement and is questioning the authorized standing of cryptocurrencies in Pakistan. The Fund has additionally voiced issues over potential impacts on energy tariffs and useful resource distribution.

“There’s a worry of additional robust talks from the IMF on this initiative,” an official concerned within the ongoing negotiations reportedly mentioned. “The financial staff is already dealing with stiff questions, and this transfer has solely added to the complexities of the talks.”

Associated: Pakistan pronounces Bitcoin strategic reserve

IMF plans particular session on Bitcoin mining plan

The IMF delegation, presently conducting digital discussions with Pakistani officers, is predicted to schedule a separate session devoted to the federal government’s electrical energy plan for Bitcoin (BTC) mining and AI operations.

The electrical energy allocation is a part of a wider nationwide technique to combine digital belongings into Pakistan’s economic system. A key part of this plan is the institution of the Pakistan Digital Asset Authority (PDAA), permitted by the Finance Ministry on Might 21.

The PDAA will regulate exchanges, wallets, stablecoins, and DeFi platforms whereas overseeing the tokenization of nationwide belongings according to worldwide frameworks reminiscent of these of the Monetary Motion Process Pressure (FATF).

The event follows Pakistan’s high-profile debut of its first strategic Bitcoin reserve on the Bitcoin Vegas 2025 convention final week — an occasion signaling Islamabad’s pivot towards digital finance.

Through the convention, Bilal bin Saqib, crypto adviser to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, introduced the launch of a nationwide Bitcoin pockets and the federal government’s dedication to assist the digital asset sector.

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Pakistan indicators new method to crypto sector

Pakistan’s authorities started shifting its stance on cryptocurrencies earlier this yr with the proposal of a “Nationwide Crypto Council” in February 2025.

The physique was tasked with drafting a complete regulatory framework for digital belongings and attracting overseas funding to the nation’s rising crypto ecosystem.

Among the many Council’s early proposals have been plans to make the most of surplus vitality for Bitcoin mining and knowledge middle operations, in addition to constructing a nationwide Bitcoin reserve.