ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar inaugurated Pakistan’s first Google Chromebook Assembly Line on Tuesday, calling it a “defining moment” in the country’s journey toward digital transformation.

The event, titled “Building the Digital Future, Together,” marked a major step in localizing technology manufacturing in Pakistan.

Making Technology More Accessible:

In his speech, Dar said that producing Chromebooks locally will make digital tools more affordable and accessible, especially in the education sector.

“From launching Pakistan’s first Chromebook assembly line to Google’s plans of setting up a local office, and the agreement to upskill our youth—this is truly a defining moment for our digital transformation,” he said.

The event was attended by federal ministers, tech experts, and senior representatives from Google.

Boosting Jobs, Exports, and Innovation:

Dar emphasized that the initiative will create jobs, strengthen supply chains, and lay the foundation for future tech exports.

He assured Google’s leadership of Pakistan’s commitment to supporting their investment, saying,

“You won’t regret setting up in Pakistan. You’ll find many more global partners joining you soon as Pakistan moves swiftly toward progress.”

He also shared that under a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Google and the Government of Pakistan will provide AI skills training to 100,000 developers across the country.

Addressing concerns about high tax rates, Dar said the government aims to establish a fair and competitive tax structure for the technology sector.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 delivered remarks at the launch of Pakistan’s first Chromebook Assembly Line & the Google–Pakistan Partnership, a landmark step in advancing #DigitalNationPakistan.

He noted that these milestones… pic.twitter.com/nSHvPApFKK

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) November 4, 2025

Google’s Commitment to Pakistan:

Country Director of Google Pakistan, Farhan Qureshi, said the company is eager to strengthen its presence in the country.

“We’re excited to deepen our investments in people, skills, and innovation. As our local presence grows, we aim to become a hub for partnerships and economic opportunity,” he said.

NRTC’s Role in Local Manufacturing:

Minister for Defence Production, Raza Hayat Harraj, praised the role of the National Radio & Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) in establishing the assembly line in Haripur.

He said,

“NRTC has been instrumental in setting up Pakistan’s first Chromebook assembly line. This venture will help create jobs, boost the local economy, and bridge the digital divide.”

Supporting the Prime Minister’s Digital Vision:

Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, highlighted the project’s alignment with the Prime Minister’s Digital Nation Vision.

“Today marks a defining moment in Pakistan’s digital journey. By developing both hardware and software locally, we’re empowering our youth to compete globally and strengthening our technological sovereignty,” she said.

She added that locally assembled, affordable Chromebooks will help digitize classrooms and expand access to AI-powered learning tools.

A Step towards a Digital Future:

The Chromebook Assembly Line at NRTC Haripur is part of Pakistan’s broader goal to strengthen its digital economy. Experts estimate that expanding digital services and cross-border e-commerce could add up to USD 6.6 billion (PKR 1.8 trillion) in export value by 2030.

With initiatives like local Chromebook production and Google’s growing presence, Pakistan is setting the stage for a stronger, more connected digital future.

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