Pakistan, Google sign landmark MoU for national digital transformation

Pakistan and Google have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at advancing national digital transformation, Business Recorder reported. The accord was inked on Friday during a gathering held for Google's delegation, which the Prime Minister chaired, and it targets digital capabilities, IT exports and innovation.

Under the arrangement, the two sides will broaden the Google Career Certificates programme, and Google has set a goal of issuing 150,000 such certificates in Pakistan during 2026. Students in Pakistan will receive a year of no-cost use of advanced AI tools, among them Google AI Plus and Gemini, while an AI Centre of Excellence will be set up in Islamabad to train young people to meet global market requirements.

The agreement also covers AI use in public services and data analytics under the FBR's digitisation project, crop monitoring in agriculture, digital payments, mobile apps and gaming, and digital access to global markets for small businesses. A joint task force of the government, Google and other stakeholders will prepare a roadmap on IT exports, identifying obstacles and growth opportunities. The Prime Minister's stated aim is $30 billion by 2030 for IT exports and the wider digital economy.