The Government of Pakistan and Google have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate the country’s digital transformation, expand access to artificial intelligence (AI) tools and develop digital skills, supporting Pakistan’s ambition to build a $30 billion digital economy and IT export sector by 2030.
Under the agreement, Google will explore providing 150,000 Google Career Certificates to Pakistani youth in 2026, with potential expansion in subsequent years. The programme will focus on high-demand technical skills to improve employment opportunities and strengthen Pakistan’s technology workforce.
Google will also explore offering students one year of free access to Google AI Plus and Gemini Notebook, helping them use advanced AI tools for education, research and skills development.
A dedicated AI Centre of Excellence will be established in Islamabad to train young people and develop talent aligned with international technology market needs. The partnership will also support the use of AI across government and key economic sectors.
As part of the Federal Board of Revenue’s transformation programme, Google will support the FBR in deploying AI to improve public services, streamline operations and accelerate digitalisation. AI applications will also be explored in agriculture for crop monitoring, yield forecasting and sustainable farming.
The MoU further covers initiatives to help SMEs access global markets, support local app developers and gaming studios, strengthen digital payments and expand digital trade.
A joint task force involving the government, Google and industry stakeholders will identify barriers to IT export growth and explore measures to improve Pakistan’s global competitiveness, including skills development, international market access and potential investment in technology hardware and services.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said the partnership would help empower Pakistani youth with modern technology and advance digital transformation, particularly in governance. Google officials said the collaboration would support Pakistan’s goal of developing a $30 billion digital economy through greater access to AI, digital skills and sector-specific technologies.
