Islamabad: The Government of Pakistan and Google have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote national digital transformation and innovation in Pakistan. Secretary Ministry of Information Technology Zarar Hashim Khan and Google's Senior Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy for Southeast Asia, David Weller, signed the MoU at a ceremony held in Islamabad today. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, US Charg© d'Affaires Natalie Baker, and members of the Federal Cabinet witnessed the signing ceremony.
According to Radio Pakistan, the signing of the MoU marks a significant milestone in establishing a Google office in Pakistan. The cooperation between the government of Pakistan and Google is set to lay the foundation for a new era of digital transformation and innovation in the country. The MoU aims to bolster cooperation in digital skills, IT exports, and innovation.
Under the MoU, Pakistan and Google have agreed to expand the Google Career Certificates programme, setting a target of issuing one hundred fifty thousand career certificates in the country during the current year. The agreement also focuses on expanding Pakistani students' access to advanced AI tools, including Google AI Plus and Gemini, free of cost.
Both sides have agreed to cooperate on establishing an AI centre of excellence in Islamabad. This centre will train Pakistani youth and human resources according to the requirements of the global market. Additionally, there is a mutual understanding to enhance the global competitiveness of Pakistan's mobile applications and gaming industry, promote digital payment systems, and broaden the scope of digital commerce.
The MoU outlines cooperation in using AI to improve public service delivery and increase the efficiency of government affairs. AI-powered data analytics will be integrated into the Federal Board of Revenue's digitization programme, and AI will be utilized in agriculture for crop monitoring, forecasting, and sustainable farming practices. Digital platforms will also be leveraged to help small and medium-sized enterprises access global markets.
A task force comprising the government, Google, and relevant stakeholders will be established to prepare a roadmap for Pakistan's IT exports and competitiveness. This task force will identify barriers to IT exports and opportunities for growth. Furthermore, both parties have agreed to expand opportunities for young people in digital skills, startups, and the technology sector.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the MoU as a stepping stone towards significant contributions in the digital field. He emphasized the government's commitment to empowering Pakistani youth with modern tools, techniques, and technology. Minister for IT and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima Khawaja expressed determination to advance Pakistan's digital transformation agenda.
Google Cluster Director for Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand Farhan Qureshi stated that the collaboration marks a major step forward in unlocking the nation's digital potential. By expanding access to critical skills, cutting-edge AI tools, and key sector innovations, Google aims to support Pakistan's journey towards a 30-billion-dollar digital economy.