Google opens Pakistan office; PM Sharif welcomes delegation

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Google opens Pakistan office; PM Sharif welcomes delegation​

18/08/2026


ISLAMABAD, AUG 18 /DNA/ – A 9-member delegation of Google, led by Wilson White, Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Policy, called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad today. Natalie Baker, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, also accompanied the delegation.

Welcoming the delegation, the Prime Minister said Pakistan is undergoing a major digital transformation of governance, including the digitization of the economy. He shared the government’s vision of “Digital Nation Pakistan” and informed the delegation that several initiatives to develop the national digital ecosystem are at an advanced stage of implementation.

The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to upgrading IT infrastructure and briefed the delegation on ongoing programs for training youth in IT and Artificial Intelligence. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with a global technology leader like Google in achieving these objectives.

The Prime Minister welcomed Google’s decision to open an office in Pakistan, noting that it would further strengthen the country’s partnership with the company. He appreciated Google’s role in advancing Pakistan’s digital economy and lauded its initiatives that have enabled thousands of Pakistani youth to secure productive employment. Highlighting the potential of Pakistan’s youth in the digital space, the Prime Minister expressed hope that Google would further expand its footprint to upskilling and empowering them. He added that with Google’s local presence now established, high-impact programs could be scaled up further.

Mr. Wilson White briefed the Prime Minister on Google’s future plans. He said the local office would deepen Google’s commitment to accelerating Pakistan’s digital transformation and build on years of existing partnership to create long-term opportunities for Pakistani youth and help local businesses go global. Expressing satisfaction over the ongoing Chromebook assembly line established by Google with local partners, Mr. White noted strong potential for Chromebooks assembled in Pakistan to be exported to other countries in the region. He stated that Google recognizes the immense potential of Pakistan’s young population and is keen to expand upskilling programs in IT, AI, gaming, and other areas.

The Prime Minister, Mr. Wilson White, Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker, and other dignitaries jointly unveiled a plaque to mark the inauguration of Google’s office in Pakistan.

Google opens Pakistan office; PM Sharif welcomes delegation - Islamabad Post

Google opens Pakistan office; PM Sharif welcomes delegation

islamabadpost.com.pk

 

[hydrabadi_arab]

This is massive signal to others waiting to finally make a move and open their offices in Pakistan. Pakistan is too big of a country and power to manage from a regional HQ in Dubai, which may not even exist in the near future, whereas Pakistan will endure until the end of time.

A $1 trillion GDP by 2035 is just the starting point.

 

[Feroze]

A great move. We need to build Pakistan as soon as possible.

 

[Ali_Baba]

Excellent news. Pakistan is large enough to warrant local presence of all major tech companies.

 

[Waz]

Good news.

 

[Pakistan First]

Well, for too long we are ripped off by Google & FB.

Earlier, the advertising money from Pakistani companies used to circulate inside Pakistan when ads used to run on newspapers and local marketing companies. But When Google (and FB too) became giants, all of that money was spent on digital ads over these platforms. Meaning all of the money was going out of the country. Other countries quickly made legislations and force Google / FB to pay a percentage for all that profit they were making. EU did it, Australia did it. Even India did it. They also force Google / FB to invest in their countries and build data centers so data of their citizens cannot be stored in any other territory. They made a law which forced these companies to do that. We let ourselves looted and did nothing.

Now when they are opening an office, the prime objective should be is to address these points. Either they invest money and build data centers in Pakistan to manage data of Pakistanis in our country OR pay for the massive profits they are earning as a free ride from our citizens & companies.

This is our problem, we let others loot us for decades before we do anything. We let Japanese car companies create a monopoly and rip off Pakistanis and they never invested a dime to make a full manufacturing plant in Pakistan. We spend billions of dollars every year on Japanese car parts imports. Japan made billions but yet never invested in the country.

We should have made a law just like other countries do and force big companies making big profits from our massive market and population. Its total incompetency of our leaders in last 30, 40 years that has resulted in losing gigantic opportunities of investments and making money.