ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated Google’s office in Pakistan on Tuesday, marking the technology company’s formal expansion of its presence in the country.
The prime minister also met a Google delegation and said Pakistan represented an important new chapter for the company, with significant opportunities for investment and growth in the country’s digital sector.
A Google vice president said the company sought a long-term partnership with Pakistan and stressed the need for further steps to promote digital technology and skills in the country.
The Google executive also announced that Pakistani students would soon be offered free access to Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence service for one year.
The development is expected to provide students with greater access to AI-powered learning tools and support Pakistan’s efforts to expand digital education and technology adoption.
Meanwhile,
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met a nine-member Google delegation led by Wilson White, the company’s vice president for government affairs and public policy, and welcomed Google’s decision to establish an office in Pakistan.
US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker also accompanied the delegation during the meeting.
Sharif said Pakistan was undergoing broad digital transformation, including the digitization of government services and the economy. He briefed the delegation on the government’s “Digital Nation Pakistan” vision and said several initiatives aimed at establishing a national digital ecosystem were in their final stages.
The prime minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to modernizing Pakistan’s IT infrastructure and briefed the delegation on ongoing programs to train young people in information technology and artificial intelligence.
Sharif emphasized the importance of cooperation with global technology companies such as Google to achieve these goals.
He welcomed Google’s decision to open an office in Pakistan, saying it would further strengthen the partnership between the company and the country.
The prime minister also praised Google’s contribution to Pakistan’s digital economy and initiatives that have helped create employment opportunities for thousands of young Pakistanis.
White briefed Sharif on Google’s future plans in Pakistan, saying the local office would reinforce the company’s commitment to accelerating the country’s digital transformation.
He said Google aimed to build on existing partnerships to create long-term opportunities for Pakistani youth and help local businesses expand into international markets.
White also welcomed Google’s Chromebook assembly line established with local partners in Pakistan, saying there was significant potential to export locally assembled Chromebooks to other countries in the region.
He said Google recognized the considerable potential of Pakistan’s young population and was keen to expand skills development programs in IT, artificial intelligence, gaming and other sectors.
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At the conclusion of the meeting, Sharif, White, Baker and other dignitaries jointly unveiled a plaque to formally mark the opening of Google’s office in Pakistan.
