Ishaq Dar inaugurates Pakistan's first Google Chromebook Assembly line

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on Tuesday launched Pakistan’s first Google Chromebook Assembly line, describing it as a “defining moment” in the country’s digital transformation.

Speaking at the event titled “Building the Digital Future, Together,” Dar said the localization of Chromebook production would make access to digital tools more affordable and inclusive, particularly in the education sector.

“From the launch of Pakistan’s first Chromebook assembly line to Google’s announcement of establishing a local presence in Pakistan, and the agreement between the Government of Pakistan and Google to upskill our youth—this is a defining moment for our country’s digital transformation,” Dar said.

The event was attended by federal ministers, IT experts and representatives of tech giant Google.

He noted that the initiative carries significant economic potential, laying the groundwork for job creation, supply chain development, and future technology exports.

Dar added that the move would bring Google closer to Pakistan’s developers, startups, and entrepreneurs, fostering direct collaboration, capacity building, and greater access to global platforms.

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

“Let me assure you, the management of Google, you won’t regret setting up all this in Pakistan… You will be very happy to be here… And in the years to come, you’ll find many multinational and other partners coming here. Pakistan is moving fairly fast to achieve the position in the comity of nations, which it was originally destined,” he stated.

He further stated that under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Google and Pakistan would collaborate to provide AI skills training for 100,000 developers across the country.

Addressing concerns about high fiscal tax rates, the deputy prime minister said the government was pursuing an agenda to establish a reasonable, affordable and comparable tax structure.

The deputy prime minister, who recently returned from Istanbul after attending the Coordination Meeting of Arab-Islamic Foreign Ministers, also referred to ongoing efforts to implement the Gaza peace agreement, signed last month in the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump by eight countries.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, described the event as “Today marks a defining moment in Pakistan’s digital transformation. In line with the Prime Minister’s Digital Nation Vision, we are developing domestic hardware alongside our software strengths to empower our youth with the skills and tools to compete globally while strengthening our technological sovereignty. This initiative advances our goal of a Future-Forward, AI-Enabled Digital Nation, bringing together education, technology, and manufacturing. Locally assembled, affordable Chromebooks will help digitize classrooms, expand access to AI-powered learning, and support the national Digital Pakistan & AI Policy.”

Minister for Defence Production, Mr. Raza Hayat, highlighted the initiative’s industrial significance, stating that “Ministry for Defence Production has played a significant role as one of its departments National Radio & Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) has dedicatedly worked to establish the first Chromebook assembly line in Pakistan. NRTC’s role in this venture focused on the manufacturing and supply of physical Chromebook devices for the local education sector. Due to an integral role played by Defence organisation NRTC, this joint venture has the potential to create jobs, stimulate the local economy, and play a vital role in bridging the digital divide within Pakistan. NRTC is a pioneer in manufacturing electronic equipment in Pakistan, with a focus on communication and security equipment.”

Country Director , Google, Pakistan Mr. Farhan Qureshi said; “We’re excited to deepen our investments in people, skills, and innovation to unlock the country’s vast potential and help build an inclusive digital future in this AI-powered economy. As our work deepens in Pakistan, we are working towards a stronger local presence in Pakistan, one that will serve as a node for innovation, partnerships, and economic opportunity”.

Pakistan stands at a pivotal moment, by developing its local tech ecosystem and investing in digital skills infrastructure, Pakistan is positioning itself to become a major export hub; experts project that expanding mobile apps, digital services, and cross-border e-commerce could add an estimated USD 6.6 billion (PKR 1.8 trillion) in export value by 2030. Initiatives like the Chromebook Assembly Line and Google’s local office will help bridge the gap between young Pakistanis’ potential and the opportunities of the future, providing essential tools to ensure the country’s youth are career-ready.

The Chromebook Assembly Line at NRTC Haripur will spur local manufacturing, supply chain development, and industrial capacity, directly supporting Prime Minister’s Digital Nation Pakistan Vision and National AI Policy objectives. The partnership reflects global confidence in Pakistan’s innovation ecosystem and reaffirms that the country is open for technology, investment, and international collaboration.In this landmark achievement toward Pakistan’s digital and industrial advancement, the Government of Pakistan and Google jointly announced two transformative milestones: the launch of the country’s first Chromebook Assembly Line and its plans for a stronger local presence in Pakistan. Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MOITT), the Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP), and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), in collaboration with Google and its partner, Tech Valley, inaugurated Pakistan’s first Chromebook Assembly Line at the Prime Minister’s House Auditorium; inaugurated by the Honourable Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr Ishaq Dar.

The ceremony featured attendance from senior government and industry leadership. The delegation included: Deputy Prime Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar Federal Ministers: Muhammad Aurangzeb (Finance), Ahsan Iqbal (Planning, Development and Special Initiatives), Shaza Fatima Khwaja (Information Technology & Telecommunication), and Mohammad Raza Hayat Harraj (Defence Production), Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Sheikh., Punjab Minister for Education Mr. Rana Sikandar Hayat. The National Coordinator, Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Sindh Minister for IT Mr. Ali Rashid and Secretary IT&T Zarrar Hasham Khan.

Also in attendance were Natalie Baker, Chargé d’Affaires, U.S. Embassy, and Mr. Fahad Haroon, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Digital Media.

From the technology partners, Kevin Kells, Managing Director of Google for Education, participated, accompanied by officials representing Google, Tech Valley, Allied Australia, and NRTC. Furthermore, officials from SIFC and the Ministry of IT & Telecom (MoITT) were present.