Google Opens Office in Pakistan to Accelerate the Nation’s Digital Economy
ISLAMABAD, August 18, 2026: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formally inaugurated Google’s first office in Pakistan, marking a significant development in the country’s digital transformation and technology ambitions.
The inauguration ceremony was held at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad and was attended by federal ministers, senior government officials and a high-level Google delegation led by Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Policy Wilson White.
During the ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Google representatives unveiled a commemorative plaque, officially marking the company’s expanded local presence in Pakistan.
Farhan Qureshi, Cluster Director for Google Pakistan, the Philippines and Thailand, said the establishment of the office reflected Google’s confidence in Pakistan’s digital future and its growing pool of technology talent.
He said Google’s local presence would strengthen collaboration with the government and technology ecosystem while supporting digital transformation, artificial intelligence and high-value economic growth.
Google Expands Digital Skills Push
Google has already invested in several initiatives aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s digital workforce.
Since 2022, the company has awarded 350,000 Google Career Certificate scholarships, with more than 80 percent of graduates reporting employment or business growth within six months of completing their training.
Googl’e Developer Groups have also reached around 300,000 developers across Pakistan, while its AI Seekho programme has trained 50,000 developers in generative AI and Google Cloud technologies.
The company has further supported the gaming and applications sector through programmes including Think Apps and App Design Masterclasses, which have helped 120 local gaming and app studios develop products for global markets.
Local Chromebook Production to Boost Exports
Another major component of Googl’e’s Pakistan strategy is local hardware production.
Googl’e, Tech Valley, Allied and the National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation have established a local Chromebook assembly line with a planned production capacity of 500,000 devices.
The initiative is expected to support digital education, create employment opportunities and strengthen Pakistan’s potential to develop a technology hardware export industry.
Googl’e has also expanded its digital literacy and online safety efforts through the Digital Safar initiative. The programme has trained more than 300,000 students and 5,000 educators in digital citizenship and online safety.
Google Highlights Economic Impact
According to Googl’e, its digital products and programmes have contributed an estimated PKR 3.9 trillion in economic benefits for Pakistani businesses and households while supporting approximately 965,000 jobs.
The company said its various upskilling initiatives have equipped more than one million teachers, students, developers and creators with digital skills.
With its office now operational, Googl’e said it intends to scale these programmes in partnership with the Pakistani government and other stakeholders, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence, digital skills, entrepreneurship and technology-led economic growth.
The development comes as Pakistan seeks to strengthen its position as a regional technology and export hub and expand the role of AI and digital services in the national economy.
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