Islamabad plans to allocate Bitcoin mining and AI centers with 2,000 MW of surplus electricity as part of the country’s broader strategy to attract tech investment.

Pakistan is preparing to allocate 2,000 megawatts of electricity to Bitcoin (BTC) mining and AI data centers as part of the first phase of a national digital infrastructure plan, Reuters reported, citing the finance ministry.

The finance ministry said the allocation is part of Islamabad’s broader strategy to put excess electricity to productive use by powering cryptocurrency mining and AI data centers. It added that the initiative is intended to support the growth of technology-driven industries and form part of the country’s wider digital infrastructure rollout.

The initiative is being led by the Pakistan Crypto Council, a government-backed body formed earlier this year.

The country’s energy sector is currently under pressure due to high electricity tariffs and excess generation capacity. The ministry noted that the rapid expansion of solar power had further complicated the situation, as more consumers were turning to alternative energy sources to reduce costs.

The announcement follows the recent formation of the Pakistan Digital Assets Authority, approved by the finance ministry to regulate the country’s growing crypto sector. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said Pakistan must “regulate not just to catch up — but to lead.”

The PCC’s CEO Bilal Bin Saqib has been in talks with Power Minister Awais Leghari on how to bring global crypto miners to Pakistan. Saqib earlier stated that Pakistan is “done sitting on the sidelines” and called it a “low-cost high-growth market.”