ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday formally inaugurated Google’s new office in Islamabad, describing the development as a major milestone in Pakistan’s digital transformation and its expanding cooperation with the global technology company.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the prime minister welcomed Google’s delegation and members of Pakistan’s technology community, saying the opening of the office marked an important step towards a long-term partnership.
PM Shehbaz Calls Opening a ‘Great Day’
Prime Minister Shehbaz congratulated Google’s team on establishing its office in Pakistan and described the occasion as a “great day” for the country’s technology sector.
He said cooperation with Google could help Pakistan benefit from modern technologies while creating new opportunities for the country’s young population.
According to the prime minister, the partnership has the potential to open new avenues in the digital economy and strengthen Pakistan’s ability to compete in international technology markets.
He also expressed confidence that cooperation between Pakistan and Google would continue to expand in the coming years.
Google Supports $30 Billion IT Export Ambition
Google Vice President Wilson L White, who led the company’s delegation, said Google had been investing in Pakistan for more than a decade.
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz’s ambition to transform Pakistan into a $30 billion IT export hub was closely aligned with Google’s own objectives in the country.
Wilson said Google was committed to supporting Pakistan’s technology ambitions through investment in people, infrastructure, hardware manufacturing and local businesses.
He stressed, however, that digital transformation could only succeed with sufficient investment in human resources and skills.
Google Says It Contributed Rs3.9 Trillion
During the ceremony, Wilson said Google had contributed more than Rs3.9 trillion to economic activity involving Pakistani businesses and households over the past decade.
According to the Google executive, the company’s activities had also supported more than 960,000 jobs in Pakistan.
He said the company wanted to expand its contribution by helping Pakistani businesses become more competitive and supporting the country’s emerging digital economy.
The figures cited at the event underline the growing importance of technology, online services and digital platforms to Pakistan’s economy.
Anthropic Secures Mega AI Chip Deal with Google and Broadcom
More Than One Million Pakistanis Upskilled
Google also highlighted its efforts to develop digital skills among young Pakistanis.
Wilson said the company had already helped more than one million Pakistanis improve their digital capabilities through Google Career Certificates and programmes involving schools and teachers.
These initiatives are aimed at preparing young people for an economy increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, cloud computing, software development, digital marketing and other technology-driven industries.
The Google executive said investment in people would remain an important part of the company’s approach to supporting Pakistan’s digital transformation.
Free Gemini Access for Students
In another major announcement, Google said it would provide free one-year subscriptions to Google Gemini for students in Pakistan.
The initiative is intended to give students greater access to artificial intelligence tools and help them develop skills relevant to the rapidly changing digital economy.
The move could also provide students with opportunities to experiment with AI for education, research, productivity and other learning-related activities.
New Opportunities for Pakistan’s Digital Economy
The inauguration of Google’s Islamabad office comes as Pakistan seeks to increase its IT exports and attract greater investment in the technology sector.
For the government, partnerships with major international technology companies are viewed as an important part of efforts to create jobs, improve digital skills and expand the country’s presence in global technology markets.
For Google, meanwhile, Pakistan represents a large and increasingly connected market with a young population and a growing pool of technology professionals.
Prime Minister Shehbaz described the opening as the beginning of a “beautiful new journey”, expressing optimism that the relationship between Pakistan and Google would continue to grow and create new opportunities for the country’s youth and digital economy.
