Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja announced that Google has completed its registration in Pakistan and will soon open a local office, marking a significant development in the country’s digital expansion. Speaking at a press conference, the minister revealed that the global tech giant is now officially registered and preparing to establish its presence in Pakistan, a move that aligns with the government’s vision of strengthening local technology manufacturing and promoting digital inclusion. She also shared that the manufacturing of Google Chromebooks has begun in Haripur, a key step toward creating a sustainable technology ecosystem within the country.
Shaza Fatima stated that around 500,000 to 600,000 Google Chromebooks will be produced annually in Pakistan, contributing to job creation, technology transfer, and skill development. The manufacturing line, which was inaugurated earlier this month, is expected to serve both domestic and export markets. “Our target is to export these Chromebooks from Pakistan, following which we will further extend and expand this assembly line,” she said. The production facility has been established through a collaboration between Google for Education’s local partner Tech Valley, the National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC), and Australia-based Allied, with operations based in Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier expressed that the local assembly of IT products like Chromebooks will not only make devices more affordable for Pakistani consumers but will also contribute to strengthening the country’s foreign exchange reserves by supporting an export-oriented technology industry.
The minister also announced that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been finalized between Google and the Ministry of IT under which youth in Pakistan will receive specialized technology training, particularly in Artificial Intelligence. She mentioned that the government is also holding discussions with Google to establish AI labs across the country to build local capacity and innovation in this field. During the press briefing, Shaza Fatima highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing collaboration with other major global technology players, including Meta and TikTok. She shared that Meta’s Llama AI platform is now available in Urdu, a development that underscores Pakistan’s growing engagement with leading tech firms. “The availability of Meta’s Llama AI platform in Urdu is something that has not been rolled out for many countries, but it was done for Pakistan because of the strong engagement we’ve had with Meta,” she said.
Additionally, Shaza Fatima revealed that TikTok’s STEM feed has been launched in Pakistan, offering a dedicated section for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics content. She noted that the feature enables users to access free educational material, transforming TikTok into a platform that promotes learning and productive use. Another major highlight shared by the minister was the entry of Go Telecom, a Saudi Arabian company, which has launched an AI Hub in Pakistan. This digital platform connects Saudi businesses seeking technology services with Pakistani firms, allowing local tech companies and freelancers to access Saudi markets remotely without the need for physical offices. According to Shaza Fatima, the initiative is expected to generate employment, boost technology exports, and open new opportunities for Pakistan’s growing digital services sector.
Through these developments, the government aims to strengthen Pakistan’s position as an emerging technology hub by enabling partnerships with global firms, fostering AI-driven education, and promoting domestic manufacturing in the IT sector.
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