ISLAMABAD — In a major development for Pakistan’s technology sector, Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, announced that Google has officially completed its registration in the country and will soon establish its first local office. The announcement came alongside news that production of Google Chromebooks has already begun in Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“Google has announced its entry into Pakistan after completing its registration process and will soon open its office here,” Shaza said during a press conference on Saturday.
She further revealed that the local manufacturing of Google Chromebooks had commenced, marking a milestone for Pakistan’s growing IT industry. “Around 500,000 to 600,000 Chromebooks will be produced annually,” she stated, emphasizing that the project would not only transfer technology and best practices but also generate direct employment opportunities for Pakistanis.
The Chromebook assembly line was launched on November 4 through a partnership between Google for Education’s local partner Tech Valley, the National Radio & Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC), and Australia-based Allied. Operations are now underway in Haripur.
Shaza highlighted that the initiative aligns with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision to reduce costs for consumers and strengthen Pakistan’s foreign reserves through the export of locally assembled tech products. “Our goal is to export Chromebooks made in Pakistan, and this is just the beginning we plan to expand the assembly line further,” she said.
In addition to manufacturing, Shaza announced that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been finalized between Google and the Ministry of IT to provide advanced training to young people, particularly in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Discussions are also underway to establish AI labs across Pakistan.
The minister also touched on Pakistan’s growing engagement with global tech leaders. She noted that Meta’s Llama AI model has now been launched in Urdu a development limited to only a handful of countries. “This reflects Meta’s confidence in Pakistan’s digital ecosystem,” she added.
Moreover, TikTok’s new STEM feed a dedicated section for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics content has also been launched in Pakistan. “This initiative allows people to access free educational content, transforming TikTok into a platform for learning and innovation,” Shaza said.
She further shared that Saudi Arabian firm Go Telecom has launched an AI Hub in Pakistan an online platform connecting Saudi companies with Pakistani tech providers. “This will enable Pakistani freelancers and startups to serve Saudi clients remotely without the need for physical offices. It’s a major step toward increasing exports, creating jobs, and opening new business avenues,” the minister concluded.
