Pakistan, Google sign MoU to drive $30b digital economy

Shehbaz Sharif calls signing ceremony a wonderful day in Pakistan, Google partnership Notes our youth can really turn around Pakistan's fortunes n Addresses participants of Balochistan National Workshop Rejects violence, attacks on innocent residents in Balochistan, notes grievances should be addressed through dialogue.

Key points

• Secretary of the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication Zarrar Hasham Khan and Google's Head of South-East Asia and South Asia Public Policy David Weller signed the MoU.
• The prime minister additionally highlighted the strategic importance of Gwadar Port, saying its deep draft enabled it to accommodate vessels carrying up to 100, 000 tonnes.
• Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif witnessed the signing ceremony and hosted a special reception in honour of the visiting Google leadership delegation, a Prime Minister's Office news release remarked.
• He remarked around 20, 000 solar tubewells had already been installed, describing the project as an notable step towards addressing farmers' energy and irrigation challenges.
• A key component of the agreement is the establishment of a dedicated Google AI Centre of Excellence in Islamabad.

ISLAMABAD – The administration of Pakistan and Google on Friday signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate the country's digital transformation, expand digital skills and promote artificial intelligence-driven innovation, with an ambitious target of taking Pakistan's IT exports and digital economy to $30 billion by 2030.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif witnessed the signing ceremony and hosted a special reception in honour of the visiting Google leadership delegation, a Prime Minister's Office news release remarked. Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the agreement as an significant milestone in Pakistan's partnership with Google and stated it would support empower the country's youth with modern tools, techniques and technology.

"It's a wonderful day in our partnership. It's a stepping stone towards a long journey of contributing towards a field that is particularly notable, " the prime minister noted. He remarked Pakistan was undergoing a major digital transformation, particularly in the area of governance, and stressed the need to harness the potential of the country's young population. "We have a youth bulge and we can really turn around Pakistan's fortunes, " he continued.

For context, the ceremony was attended by Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Wilson White, Vice President Administration Affairs and Public Policy at Google, US Chargé d'Affaires Natalie A. Baker and senior administration office-holders.

Under the MoU, Google will provide 150, 000 Google Career Certificates to Pakistani youth in 2026, equipping them with market-ready skills in high-demand technical fields and helping expand employment opportunities in high-growth areas.

For context, the agreement additionally envisages exploring the provision of advanced AI tools to students, including one-year free access to Google AI Plus and Gemini Notebook, to backing academic and research pursuits and enhance the competitiveness of Pakistani youth.

In practice, a key component of the agreement is the establishment of a dedicated Google AI Centre of Excellence in Islamabad. The centre will train Pakistani youth and human resources according to international technology market standards.

Meanwhile, the MoU additionally provides for collaboration in mobile applications and the gaming industry, strengthening digital payment ecosystems, digital trade and the apply of AI in administration and key economic sectors.

Under the Prime Minister's Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) transformation plan, Google will backing the FBR in deploying AI to modernise public service delivery, streamline administration operations and accelerate its digital transformation.

For context, the partnership will additionally promote the apply of AI in agriculture for crop monitoring, yield forecasting and sustainable farming practices.

While Pakistan and Google will work together to backing local app developers and gaming studios, digital platforms will be utilised to support small and medium enterprises expand their presence in international markets.

In practice, the two sides will additionally explore measures to strengthen the country's digital payments ecosystem and expand digital trade.

Google Cluster Director for Pakistan, the Philippines and Thailand Farhan Qureshi remarked the collaboration represented a major step towards unlocking Pakistan's digital potential and empowering the next generation of talent.

Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz Sharif stated on Friday that the federal administration is committed to ensuring Balochistan's equitable development and prosperity, emphasising that the province's legitimate grievances should be addressed through dialogue and mutual consultation rather than violence.

Addressing a question-and-answer session with participants of the Balochistan National Workshop, the prime minister remarked Balochistan was endowed with vast mineral and natural resources, but their development required investment, expertise, resources and collaboration between the province and the federation.

He stated that the natural resources of Balochistan primarily belong to its individuals and should be developed in a manner that enables them to benefit first, followed by the rest of the residents of Pakistan.

In practice, the prime minister remarked Balochistan's vast geographical area and the long distances between its population centres presented genuine challenges in providing roads, education, healthcare and other facilities, requiring a fair distribution of available resources.

He recalled Balochistan's historic decision to join Pakistan, saying the province's accession was based on conviction and voluntary choice. He remarked the historical record additionally carried lessons regarding resolving differences through mutual consultation and dialogue.

PM Shehbaz remarked it was "never too late" to address outstanding matters and pressed a grand, frank and meaningful dialogue in which all legitimate worries could be brought to the table.

He categorically rejected violence and the targeting of innocent individuals in the name of grievances, saying workers, teachers, engineers and other residents contributing to Balochistan's development could not be created victims of terrorism.

Referring specifically to the Karachi-Chaman N-25 project, the prime minister remarked the federal administration had allocated Rs415 billion to transform the road, described as a "khoonisarak", into a road of peace and development.

He remarked the decision had been taken after consultation with Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the federal administration had retained the provincial share from the reduction in petroleum rates to finance the project.

For context, the prime minister remarked work on the project had already commenced, but cautioned that terrorism remained a major impediment to infrastructure development.

"If Rs200 billion or Rs300 billion are provided, but terrorists continue killing people day and night, not even an inch of road can be constructed, " he remarked, stressing that development and security must move forward together.

PM Shehbaz remarked the state regarded all four provinces as equal parts of one country and had a responsibility to provide its citizens with security, education, healthcare and opportunities for prosperity.

He remarked Balochistan's mineral wealth could not remain merely a figure on paper and called on collective efforts to bring its resources to the surface and develop them for the benefit of the individuals.

Notably, the prime minister additionally highlighted the strategic importance of Gwadar Port, saying its deep draft enabled it to accommodate vessels carrying up to 100, 000 tonnes.

He recalled that the new airport at Gwadar had been gifted by Chinese President Xi Jinping and remarked he had taken steps during the previous Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) administration to growth utilisation of Gwadar Port.

He remarked he had directed that 60 percent of the federal government's imports of essential goods and machinery should be routed through Gwadar Port.

PM Shehbaz remarked his commitment to Gwadar and Balochistan stemmed from the belief that Pakistan's development could not be complete unless all four provinces progress together.

He remarked Balochistan's share in federal schemes had additionally been kept 10 percent higher than its population-based share, describing it as an expression of national solidarity rather than a favour.

Recalling the 2010 National Finance Commission (NFC) Award discussions, the prime minister remarked all four provinces had agreed to enhance Balochistan's share from the federation to address its financial difficulties.

As the chief minister of Punjab at the time, he backed the arrangement, with Punjab contributing Rs 11 billion annually, he recalled that. He continued that the Punjab Assembly had additionally endorsed the decision with applause, reflecting the true spirit of brotherhood among the provinces.

PM Shehbaz remarked he had followed the same principle in education initiatives, including scholarships, laptops, Danish Schools and other programmes, under which Balochistan's participation had been kept 10 percent higher than its population-based share.

He remarked the federal and provincial governments should work together to unlock Balochistan's economic potential and ensure that its residents became equal partners in the country's development.

In practice, the prime minister additionally highlighted the government's solarisationprogramme for agricultural tubewells in Balochistan. He remarked around Rs70 billion had been estimated for replacing approximately 20, 000 to 22, 000 tubewells with solar-powered systems, with the federal administration contributing Rs40 billion.

PM Shehbaz stressed that the benefits of development projects could only be sustained if their security was ensured by all stakeholders.

Taken together, the developments around pakistan, Google sign MoU to drive $30b digital economy point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.