ISLAMABAD: Google has begun local assembly of Chromebooks in Pakistan, the government said on Tuesday, in a move officials described as a milestone for the country’s digital hardware industry and a boost to jobs and the technology supply chain.
The first Chromebook assembly line has been established at the National Radio & Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) facility in Haripur, the government said at a launch event in Islamabad.
The ceremony took place at the Prime Minister’s House Auditorium and was attended by senior ministers, Google representatives and industry partners.
Local production and skills pledge
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the initiative marked “an industrial milestone” as Pakistan moved from being a technology consumer to a technology producer.
He said locally assembled Chromebooks would make digital devices more affordable and support education.
“This is not just about assembling devices, it is about future exports, new jobs and a stronger digital economy,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 delivered remarks at the launch of Pakistan’s first Chromebook Assembly Line & the Google–Pakistan Partnership, a landmark step in advancing #DigitalNationPakistan.
He noted that these milestones… pic.twitter.com/nSHvPApFKK
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) November 4, 2025
Under a memorandum of understanding between Google and Pakistan, the two sides will collaborate to provide skills training for 100,000 developers nationwide, and Google will offer 100,000 career certificates to equip youth with market-relevant digital skills, officials said.
Google’s country director for Pakistan, Farhan Qureshi, said the company planned a stronger local presence.
“We’re excited to deepen our investments in people, skills, and innovation to unlock the country’s vast potential,” he said.
Industry and government roles
The NRTC — a defence production organisation — played a lead role in establishing the assembly line and supplying devices for the local education sector.
Defence Production Minister Raza Hayat Harraj said NRTC’s involvement would help create jobs and stimulate the local economy.
Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the project advanced Pakistan’s “Digital Nation” and AI policy objectives.
She said locally assembled, affordable Chromebooks would help digitise classrooms and expand access to AI-powered learning.
Officials added that Google will support gaming studios and localised AI solutions, including Android services for public safety.
Economic potential and export hopes
Policy documents cited at the event suggested the initiative could help build a local tech ecosystem and supply chain.
According to estimates, the expanding mobile apps, digital services and cross-border e-commerce could add about USD 6.6 billion (roughly PKR 1.8 trillion) to Pakistan’s export value by 2030. The move was timed to rebuild investor confidence and accelerate economic growth.
Dar said that Pakistan aimed to join the G20 in the future, calling the launch “a defining moment” for the country’s digital transformation.
