Google begins local Chromebook assembly in Pakistan

Ishaq Dar hails move as industrial milestone boosting jobs and digital manufacturing

Google has begun local assembly of Chromebooks in Pakistan, a development the government says will spur digital hardware manufacturing, create jobs, and strengthen the country’s technology supply chain.

Speaking at the launch event in Islamabad on Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the initiative marks “an industrial milestone” as Pakistan deepens its shift from technology consumer to technology producer. “This is not just about assembling devices, it is about future exports, new jobs and a stronger digital economy,” he added.

Dar said Pakistan’s digital transformation accelerated after the rollout of 4G in 2014, calling it a foundation for the services and startups flourishing today. “If we hadn’t introduced 4G when we did, none of this innovation would be happening,” he said.

He said that under a strategic memorandum of understanding, both Pakistan and Google will collaborate to provide skills training to 100,000 developers nationwide and advance localised AI-powered solutions, such as Android services for public safety.

The minister highlighted that Google’s decision to establish a local office, along with the assembly line, would bring the tech giant closer to Pakistan’s developers, startups, and entrepreneurs, enabling direct collaboration and better access to global platforms.

As part of the partnership, Google will also offer 100,000 career certificates to equip youth with market-relevant digital skills, while supporting gaming studios and AI-driven local solutions.

Dar said the move comes at a time when Pakistan is trying to regain economic momentum and rebuild global investor confidence. “In 2017, Pakistan was seen as unstable. Today, we stand among the top 25 economies of the world,” he noted. “Our ambition is to accelerate growth so Pakistan can soon join the G20”.

The government believes the localisation of affordable digital tools, particularly for education, will help bridge access gaps and support learning innovation nationwide.

Dar described Google’s presence as a “powerful endorsement” of Pakistan’s digital potential and a signal to international investors that the country’s technology sector is entering a new phase of growth.

In her remarks, Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima described the launch of the Chromebook assembly line as a transformative step that brings together technology, manufacturing, and education. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing the digital journey at a rapid pace.