Pakistan, Google team up for AI-driven future

MoU covers digital skills, payments and govt digital transformation

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan and Google on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in a bid to support the country's target of developing a $30 billion digital economy.

The partnership covers digital skills, artificial intelligence, education, digital payments and technology-driven government transformation.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the signing ceremony and hosted a reception for a high-level Google delegation.

Under the agreement, the two sides will explore the issuance of Google career certificates, access to Gemini for students, the possible establishment of an AI centre of excellence in Islamabad, mobile application and gaming accelerators, improvements in digital payments and the use of AI to drive digital transformation across government departments.

Farhan Qureshi, Google's cluster director for Pakistan, the Philippines and Thailand, said the company was proud to strengthen its partnership with Pakistan and support the country's journey towards a $30 billion digital economy following the recent opening of its office in Pakistan.

"Building on the progress from the recent opening of our office in Pakistan, we are proud to further strengthen our partnership with Pakistan and support its journey towards a $30 billion digital economy," he said.

As part of efforts to expand technical training, Google plans to issue 150,000 career certificates in 2026.

The MoU also includes one-year subscriptions to Gemini AI Plus and Gemini Notes for students.

The partnership will further examine the adoption of AI infrastructure and solutions in key sectors.

Among the proposed initiatives is improving data analytics and process automation at the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's FBR transformation plan.

Speaking at the ceremony, the prime minister hailed the agreement as an important milestone in Pakistan's partnership with Google.

"Today is a wonderful day regarding our partnership with Google. This is an important step in a long journey through which we will pave the way to play a positive role in a very important sector," he said.

The prime minister said Pakistan would empower its young population through modern tools, techniques and technology.

"We will empower our youth through modern tools, techniques and technology," he said.

He said the timing of the Google delegation's visit was particularly significant as Pakistan was undergoing major digital transformation across several sectors, including governance.

"It is also extremely important that the Google delegation has come to Pakistan at a time when the country is going through a major digital transformation in several areas, including governance," he said.

The prime minister noted that a large proportion of Pakistan's population comprised young people and said the country could genuinely transform its future by harnessing their potential.

"Our population has a large proportion of young people and we can truly change the destiny of Pakistan," he said.

The MoU was signed by Zarrar Hasham Khan, secretary of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications, and David Wheeler, Google's head of public policy for Southeast Asia and South Asia.

Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, Google Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Policy Wilson White, US Chargé d'Affaires in Pakistan Natalie Baker and other senior officials also attended the ceremony.