A monumental and significant development has marked Pakistan’s digital landscape with the inauguration of the country’s first Google Chromebook assembly line. The initiative is hailed as a major milestone under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s ‘Digital Pakistan Vision,’ aimed at providing modern laptops to ordinary citizens, especially students, at affordable prices.
The factory, established in Haripur, has the capacity to produce 50,000 Chromebooks daily, with an annual target set at 500,000 units, which is planned to increase to 1 million in the coming years. This project is expected to generate thousands of new job opportunities, strengthen local industry, and open new avenues for technology exports from the country.
Development Goals and Global Partnership:
This project is an extension of Google’s broader programs, under which the company has already equipped over 1 million Pakistanis with digital skills. Government estimates project that such initiatives could lead to a significant boost of $6.6 billion (approximately 1.8 trillion PKR) in Pakistan’s exports by 2030.
Under the new agreement, Google and the Government of Pakistan aim to:
- Provide advanced technology training to 100,000 young individuals.
- Launch special programs for the gaming and startup industries.
- Award 100,000 Google Career Certificates to make youth eligible for global-standard jobs.
Furthermore, Google will initiate its AI Leaders Fellowship Program, enabling 100 Pakistani organizations to adopt Artificial Intelligence and gain a competitive edge. The Ministry of IT and Google will also collaborate to implement Emergency Location Services in Pakistan, providing improved emergency facilities to the public.
This project is viewed not merely as a factory setup but as the foundation of Pakistan’s digital future. Under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership, the arrival of international companies is expected to boost employment opportunities and unlock new doors for youth development.
