ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday inaugurated Google’s office in Pakistan, calling the development an important step towards a long-term partnership with the global technology company and a boost to the country’s digital transformation.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Islamabad, the prime minister congratulated Google’s team and Pakistan’s technology community. He said the opening of the office would create new opportunities for cooperation in the digital sector and help equip young Pakistanis with modern technology and skills.
Shehbaz said Pakistan was going through a major digital transformation and that cooperation with Google could play an important role in developing the country’s technology sector.
Welcoming a Google delegation led by Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Policy Wilson L. White, the prime minister said the partnership had significant potential to grow further.
White said Google had been investing in Pakistan for more than a decade and described the opening of the local office as an important milestone for the company.
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz’s goal of turning Pakistan into a $30 billion IT export hub was closely aligned with Google’s objectives.
According to White, Google has contributed more than Rs3.9 trillion to economic activity involving Pakistani businesses and households over the past 10 years, while supporting more than 960,000 jobs.
He said Google would support Pakistan’s IT export ambitions by investing in local talent, manufacturing and hardware-export infrastructure, as well as Pakistani businesses.
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White also stressed the importance of investing in human resources for Pakistan’s digital transformation. He said Google had helped more than one million Pakistanis develop digital skills through career certificates and programmes involving schools and teachers.
Free Gemini subscriptions for students
In a major announcement, White said Google would provide free one-year subscriptions to Google Gemini for students across Pakistan.
He said the initiative would give young Pakistanis greater access to modern digital tools and emerging technologies and help them develop skills needed for the digital economy.
The opening of the office marks a deeper formal presence for Google in Pakistan as the government seeks to expand the country’s IT exports, strengthen digital skills and attract investment in the technology sector.
