Google lunches Chromebook manufacturing initiative in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: In a significant move to boost Pakistan’s digital landscape, global tech giant Google has launched an initiative to produce half a million Chromebooks in the country.

The initiative was marked by a ceremony in Islamabad, where Google Asia Pacific President Scott Beaumont presented the first locally manufactured Chromebook to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

PM Shehbaz praised Google’s contribution to the global and Pakistani tech ecosystem, emphasizing the potential of the young generation to drive economic growth through IT.

The prime minister called on federal and provincial governments to allocate resources towards the education and empowerment of the younger generation.

In addition, he also shared the government’s ambitious target of reaching $25 billion in IT exports over the next five years, stating that this goal is within reach.

PM Shehbaz urged IT experts and entrepreneurs to develop strategies to help the government achieve this target while promoting the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and freelancers.

The prime minister also announced plans to digitize the country’s governance system, eliminating corruption and promoting transparency. He noted the appointment of a new IT secretary through a transparent process.

Minister of State for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja acknowledged Google’s role in Pakistan’s digitization efforts. At the same time, Google Regional Director Farhan S. Qureshi emphasized the opportunities for freelancers and small enterprises in the tech sector.

The ceremony was attended by Information Minister Tarar and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, marking a significant milestone in Pakistan’s journey towards digital transformation.