Pakistan starts assembling Google Chromebooks

IT exports jump 18% to $417m in July as Google opens first Pakistan office

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan's IT exports surged 18% year-on-year to $417 million in July 2026, the first month of the new fiscal year, signalling strong momentum in the technology sector, official data showed.

The robust start follows a record fiscal year 2025-26, when IT exports reached $4.6 billion, up 21% from approximately $3.8 billion the previous year, making it the largest component of Pakistan's services exports. Total services exports stood at $10.02 billion in FY26, with technology and digital services emerging as the most prominent segment.

Federal Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja attributed the growth to sustained private-sector development, adding that Pakistan's freelancing economy has surpassed $1 billion this year. She noted that IT exports have been growing consistently at around 20% over the past two and a half years. Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Khawaja said the establishment of Google's first office in Pakistan would play an important role in strengthening new talent in the technology sector and supporting the local tech ecosystem. The presence of Google and other major global technology companies in Pakistan would encourage more international firms to establish operations in the country, she added.

"Google's office reflects global confidence in Pakistan's economy and leadership," she said.

The minister highlighted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has personally led the digital transformation agenda over the past two years through the "Digital Nation Pakistan" initiative. Significant progress has been made in digitalisation, FBR reforms, the digital economy, cashless payments and digital governance.

The IT sector has been given special incentives in the budget, including a final tax regime for exports and a 0.25% tax on export earnings.

She said the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication and its affiliated departments jointly worked to establish Google's office in Pakistan. On collaboration with Google, the minister said 350,000 Google certifications have been completed in Pakistan. The government is working with Google to provide certification programmes for 3,000 public officials.

More than 17,000 teams participated in the "Learn AI" programme launched with Google Developer Groups, with women making up 25% of participants. Around 50,000 developers have been trained in gaming and animation, while 120 companies have received training in gaming and design. A Chromebook assembly line inaugurated last year at the National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) facility in Haripur is now operational, with an annual production capacity of up to 500,000 Chromebooks. The government is exploring the possibility of exporting them.

IT exports in July generated a trade surplus of 85-86%, Khawaja said, adding that since the sector does not require heavy machinery imports, a large portion of export earnings remains within the country, making IT a key pillar of Pakistan's economy. Adviser to the Federal Finance Minister Khurram Shehzad said Pakistan's digital economy has begun FY27 with strong performance. He said the $63 million year-on-year increase in July reflects the sector's sustained growth and rising global demand for Pakistani IT services.