ISLAMABAD – Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday inaugurated Pakistan’s first Google Chromebook assembly line, calling it a “historic milestone” that will accelerate the country’s digital transformation and expand access to affordable technology.
Speaking at the launch ceremony in Islamabad, Dar said the initiative marks a new chapter in Pakistan’s partnership with Google, paving the way for local assembly, job creation, and future tech exports. “Today marks a historic milestone as we celebrate the invaluable partnership between Google and Pakistan,” he stated.
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The deputy PM, who also serves as foreign minister, said the localisation of Chromebook assembly would make digital tools more accessible and inclusive, particularly for the education sector. He emphasised that the move laid the “foundation for jobs, supply chain development, and future technology exports.”
Under a strategic memorandum of understanding, Google and Pakistan will collaborate to train 100,000 developers nationwide, while developing targeted programmes for the gaming and startup sectors. Dar added that the partnership also includes advancing AI-powered local solutions and offering 100,000 Google Career Certificates to equip Pakistanis with globally recognised credentials.
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He further noted that Google’s decision to open a local office in Pakistan symbolises global confidence in the country’s digital potential. “It represents a strategic milestone for the digital economy, the innovation ecosystem, and global investor confidence,” he said.
Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, also speaking at the event, termed the launch a transformative step that combines technology, manufacturing, and education. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fast-tracking Pakistan’s digital journey.
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The Chromebook assembly line was established through collaboration between Google for Education’s country partner Tech Valley, National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC), and Australia-based Allied, with operations based in Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Yesterday, a delegation from Tech Valley met Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, offering support to set up a Chromebook manufacturing facility in Punjab to further strengthen local IT infrastructure and technology-driven education.