Pakistan plans to deepen its cooperation with Google across artificial intelligence, cloud technologies, digital skills, education, innovation and entrepreneurship, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said following the opening of Google’s first local office in the country. The minister said the partnership would support Pakistan’s technology ecosystem and help develop the country’s talent pipeline as the government continues pursuing its digital transformation agenda. Google’s local presence is being viewed as an opportunity to expand collaboration between the technology company, government institutions and Pakistan’s growing technology sector.
Khawaja highlighted several existing initiatives carried out through cooperation between the government and Google, including digital certification programmes and technology skills development. According to the minister, around 350,000 Google certifications have been completed in Pakistan in recent years, while the government is working with Google on certification programmes for approximately 3,000 public service officers. She also pointed to the AI Seekho initiative, which attracted more than 17,000 teams, as well as training programmes in gaming, animation, application development and design. These programmes are intended to expand access to technology skills and prepare students, professionals and businesses for opportunities in the digital economy.
The government also intends to use the partnership to expand artificial intelligence and cloud capabilities across different parts of the economy. Cooperation in these areas could support the development of digital infrastructure, workforce training, innovation and technology-based businesses while helping local professionals gain skills aligned with international technology markets. The minister said the government’s broader digital agenda includes the digitisation of public institutions, expansion of the digital economy, cashless payments and digital governance. Google’s local presence is expected to provide another channel through which international technology expertise and local talent can be connected.
Khawaja also linked the growing technology cooperation with Pakistan’s recent increase in IT exports and the development of its wider technology ecosystem. She said IT exports recorded an 18 percent year-on-year increase in July, reaching $417 million, while the country’s freelancing economy had exceeded $1 billion. The minister said the presence of Google and other international technology companies could encourage additional global firms to establish operations in Pakistan. With the government targeting further growth in IT exports and digital skills, deeper cooperation with Google in AI, cloud technologies and related fields is expected to remain an important part of Pakistan’s digital development strategy.
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