For years, the story of Pakistan’s booming technology sector has been told predominantly through its digital workforce – a rich source of software expertise and services. But a new chapter of high-tech manufacturing Now begins
Google, in partnership with the Pakistani government, has officially launched the country’s first Chromebook assembly line, signaling a massive vote of confidence and a commitment to produce up to 600,000 devices per year.
This initiative moves past simply exporting code and firmly into building tangible, export-ready technology, a pivot that promises to redefine Pakistan’s role in the global supply chain.
Key Highlights
- Pakistan launched its first Google Chromebook assembly line on November 4 in Haripur at the National Radio & Telecommunications Corporation’s (NRTC) facility.
- The new facility is set to manufacture approximately 600,000 Chromebooks annually, with plans to scale production further to support regional exports.
- The single assembly line has already provided 600 new jobs for Pakistani youth, including strong participation from women engineers.
- The launch is the result of a public-private collaboration involving the Pakistani government, Google, Tech Valley, the NRTC, and Allied Corporation.
- The project includes a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for youth training, aiming to train 100,000 developers and equip the next generation with AI skills.
New Era for Local Hardware Production
The assembly line was inaugurated at the NRTC facility in Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, establishing a new domestic anchor for technology manufacturing. This move is deeply rooted in a strategic public-private partnership, and the commitment to scale is immediate and substantial.
IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja underscored the sheer scale of this industrial achievement. “Around 500,000-600,000 Google Chromebooks will be manufactured in Pakistan annually,” she stated, confirming the ambitious annual production target. She also highlighted the initiative’s immediate economic return, noting that the employment numbers are already impressive. “Technology transfer has already created 600 jobs in that single assembly line,” the minister said.
This shift to local production is viewed not only as an economic stabilizer but as a foundation for a new export market. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar emphasized that the assembly line’s establishment holds great economic meaning, laying the “foundation for jobs, supply chain, development and future tech exports.”
The decision by Google to establish its manufacturing presence is a crucial indicator of global corporate trust in the nation’s economic direction. Minister Khawaja spoke directly to this context: “I think that’s one of the biggest news for Pakistan this year, that Google has announced their physical presence in the country.” She went on to say, “Google coming into the country poses a lot of confidence in our economy and its overall stability and growth.”
More than just manufacturing, this partnership is designed to tackle the digital divide. The goal is to provide affordable, high-quality devices to students, furthering digital inclusion across schools. Minister Khawaja drew upon personal experience to explain the deep-seated impact of this mission: “When we distributed laptops in previous government programs, we saw that it was not just about a device–it was life-changing for students, their families and even their communities.”
Investing in Future Skills
The commitment extends well past the hardware itself. The project is paired with a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on building human capital for the future. Minister Khawaja confirmed that Google is serious about education and skill development. “They’ve opened a Chromebook assembly line and are signing a long-term MoU with us for youth training programs,” she noted.
Deputy Prime Minister Dar detailed the expansive scope of this training, announcing that Google and Pakistan would collaborate to provide skills training for 100,000 developers nationwide, alongside developing localized AI-powered solutions. This comprehensive approach ensures that as Pakistan starts producing world-class hardware, its youth will also be equipped with the cutting-edge digital skills required to shape a fully modernized digital economy.