Pakistan vastly relies on imports for computers and Information Technology (IT) hardware, despite being a top IT-services exporting nation in the world. But this week, Pakistan has launched its first Google Chromebook assembly line, with the goal of producing 500,000 Chromebooks annually by 2026. For that the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) and Google have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to drive the next phase of Pakistan’s digital transformation.
Google Chromebooks by Pakistan; A “defining moment”:
According to the available details, Google, Tech Valley, Allied, and the National Radio & Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) launch the Google Chromebook assembly line to produce 500,000 devices by 2026, boosting education and job creation for the digital economy and paving the way for exports. The announcements were made at a high-level ceremony held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad, attended by Deputy Prime Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja and Google’s regional leadership.
This initiative is a key part of the government’s “Digital Nation Vision” and National AI Policy, marking a significant step from software innovation to local hardware production. Terming the move a “defining moment for our country’s digital transformation”, the deputy PM Ishaq Dar said localizing the assembly of Chromebooks would make access to digital tools more affordable and inclusive, particularly in the education sector. He further noted that Google’s local presence would bring it “closer to Pakistan’s developers, startups and entrepreneurs, enabling direct collaboration, capacity building, and great access to global platforms”.
Objective of the Project:
Google, in partnership with Tech Valley, Allied, and the National Radio & Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC), launched Pakistan’s first Chromebook assembly line at NRTC’s facility in Haripur. The facility will assemble 500,000 Chromebooks by 2026, helping to create local jobs, strengthen the digital economy, and pave the way for device exports from Pakistan.
This initiative directly addresses the urgent need to prepare Pakistan’s massive youth population for the future of work in following key ways:
- Digital Accessibility: The primary aim is to provide affordable, high-quality digital tools for students and educators across Pakistan, helping to bridge the digital divide.
- Empowering Students: It will provide students and educators across Pakistan with more affordable, high-quality Chromebooks. This access is the key to helping them gain from our digital skills initiatives and become career-ready.
- Creating Local Jobs: The new assembly line will create valuable job opportunities for the local youth.
Meanwhile the IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja highlighted that the move brought together technology, manufacturing and education. She expressed the government’s commitment to continuing Pakistan’s digital journey at a fast pace.
Building on Google’s digital skilling initiatives in Pakistan:
Alongside the launch, MoITT and Google signed a Memorandum of Understanding to drive the next phase of Pakistan’s digital and AI-powered growth. The partnership focuses on three key areas:
- Expanding Digital Skilling: Provide 100,000 Google Career Certificates by 2025, building on 80,000 scholarships already awarded this year, nearly half to women. An AI Skills Lab will also engage 100,000+ developers in AI-first technologies.
- Accelerating the gaming and startups industries: Collaborate on policy frameworks for the gaming industry and offer workshops, mentorship, and Google Cloud support for startups under the Pakistan Startup Fund.
- AI for Impact: Launch an AI Leaders Fellowship for 100 organizations in Pakistan – including public institutions, startups, and corporates – to adopt AI responsibly, and collaborate on Android services for public safety.
As part of the MOU, Google and MoiTT will also collaborate to share international best practices for an enabling regulatory environment. Farhan Qureshi, Country Director, Google Pakistan, says “By delivering ‘Made-in-Pakistan’ Chromebooks, we are providing high-quality, safe, affordable devices that build on our robust digital skilling programs for teachers, students, developers and creators. This digital skills training and greater adoption of education technologies will narrow the digital skills gap and can add Rs. 2.8 trillion of annual GDP in Pakistan in 2030.”
By
Editorial, Infocus
