Pakistan “Launches” Its First Google Chromebook Assembly Line

Pakistan has “launched” its first Google Chromebook assembly line, which should help provide cheaper Google-based laptops for students and professionals in the local market. In reality, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has only announced plans for a Google Chromebook assembly line, but is calling it a “launch.” The announcement came from a ceremony in Islamabad on Tuesday, where Dar described the “launch” as a “momentous occasion” for Pakistan’s technology sector, saying the local assembly of Chromebooks would make digital devices more affordable and accessible, especially for students and the education sector. The new assembly line, based at the National Radio & Telecommunications Corporation NRTC’s Haripur facility, will produce up to 500,000 Chromebooks annually by 2026. These devices will be high-quality, secure, and affordable, and tailored specifically for educational and public sector use. The Chromebook Assembly Line at NRTC Haripur will spur local manufacturing, supply chain development, and industrial capacity, directly supporting the Prime Minister’s Digital Nation Pakistan Vision and National AI Policy objectives. Dar said the move goes beyond education, since it will also help create new jobs, strengthen supply chains, and lay the foundation for future technology exports. Dar highlighted that Google’s presence will enable closer collaboration with Pakistani startups and entrepreneurs, providing capacity building and better access to global platforms. Under a new memorandum of understanding (MoU), Pakistan and Google will also work together to train 100,000 developers nationwide. In addition, both sides will advance AI-powered localized solutions, including Android-based services for public safety. The deputy prime minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment for global tech companies, saying Pakistan’s policy aims to make the country a regional hub for technology development. He also noted the government’s efforts to rationalize taxes to attract more investment in the technology sector.