Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar inaugurated Pakistan’s first Google Chromebook Assembly Line in Islamabad, calling it a landmark achievement in the country’s digital evolution.
Addressing the launch ceremony, he said the localization of Chromebook assembly would make digital tools more affordable and accessible, especially for students and educators. Beyond education, he noted, the initiative would generate employment opportunities, develop local supply chains, and pave the way for technology exports.
Dar described Google’s decision to open a local office in Pakistan as a source of national pride and a strong endorsement of the country’s digital potential. He said the move would strengthen the innovation ecosystem, enhance investor confidence, and bring Google closer to Pakistani startups and entrepreneurs through direct collaboration and skills development.
Under a strategic memorandum of understanding, Pakistan and Google will jointly train 100,000 developers nationwide and work on localized AI-powered solutions, including Android-based public safety tools. Dar reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a supportive policy framework that encourages global technology investment, innovation, and sustainable local presence.
IT Minister Shaza Fatima hailed the launch as a transformative step, combining technology, manufacturing, and education to accelerate Pakistan’s digital progress.
It is worth noting that in June 2024, Google for Education’s local partner Tech Valley, along with the National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) and Australia’s Allied, announced plans to establish a Google Chromebook Assembly Line in Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
On Monday, a delegation led by Tech Valley CEO Kevin Kells met Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in Lahore, assuring full cooperation in setting up a Chromebook manufacturing facility in Punjab to promote technology-based education and strengthen local IT infrastructure.
