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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.
The initiative marks a historic leap in Pakistan’s journey from software innovation to local hardware production, moving from skills to scale. It aims to deliver affordable, secure, and locally assembled Chromebooks to empower students, educators, and professionals with modern digital tools.
The new assembly line, based at the National Radio & Telecommunications Corporation NRTC’s Haripur facility, will produce up to 500,000 Chromebooks annually by 2026. These devices will be high-quality, secure, and affordable, and tailored specifically for educational and public sector use. With 64% of the population under the age of 30, the initiative directly supports national efforts to equip youth with future-ready skills. It complements Google’s ongoing digital programs, which have already trained over 1 million Pakistanis. In addition to bridging the digital divide, the project will generate employment, train local technicians, and contribute to broader economic growth.
Google unveiled plans to deepen its local presence to provide on-the-ground support to local businesses, helping them to scale their operations and reach global markets. This marks a key milestone in the country’s digital journey. The decision reflects Google’s confidence in Pakistan’s technology potential and the Government of Pakistan’s proactive digital transformation agenda, led by the Ministry of IT & Telecommunication (MOITT), Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP) and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).
The Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr Ishaq Dar, on this occasion stated:
“With the Prime Minister’s vision and leadership guiding Pakistan’s national digital transformation agenda, the Government remains deeply committed to building a digitally inclusive and AI-ready Pakistan, what we proudly call Digital Nation Pakistan. This vision reflects our resolve to empower our youth with digital skills, equip them with modern tools, and ensure equal access to opportunities. Google’s decision to deepen its local presence in Pakistan is not merely symbolic; it is a moment of national pride and a powerful endorsement of our country’s digital potential. This milestone represents a significant step forward for our digital economy, strengthening Pakistan’s innovation ecosystem and boosting global investor confidence in our rapidly evolving technology landscape.”
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 digitise 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 the 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.
