Pakistan and Google have signed a memorandum of understanding that will give Pakistani students free access to Google’s advanced AI tools for a year, including Gemini and Google AI Plus, as part of a wider push to grow the country’s IT exports to $30 billion by 2030.
What the Deal Covers
The MoU was signed on Friday during a reception Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hosted for a visiting Google delegation at the PM House, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office. Under the agreement, Pakistani students will get a year of free access to Google AI Plus, Gemini and other advanced AI tools to support their academic and research work. Google also agreed to expand its Career Certificates programme in the country, with a target of issuing 150,000 certificates in Pakistan during 2026.
The two sides further agreed to establish an AI Centre of Excellence in Islamabad, intended to train Pakistani youth and professionals to meet the requirements of international technology markets. A joint task force involving the government, Google and other stakeholders will be set up to prepare a roadmap for boosting Pakistan’s IT exports and competitiveness.
Part of a Broader Push Into Pakistan
The agreement comes days after Google opened its first local office in Pakistan, a move the company said reflected its confidence in the country’s digital talent. Google Vice President for Global Affairs and Public Policy Wilson White, who led the visiting delegation, said the company has contributed more than Rs3.9 trillion, or roughly $14 billion, in economic activity for Pakistani businesses and households and supported more than 960,000 jobs in the country.
“It’s a wonderful day in our partnership,” Shehbaz said at the signing ceremony. “It’s a stepping stone towards a long journey of contributing towards a field that is very important. We’ll empower our youth through these modern tools and techniques and technology.” The event was also attended by IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker.
Beyond Education
The partnership extends well past student access to AI tools. Under the deal, Google will help the Federal Board of Revenue use artificial intelligence to support its ongoing digitisation programme, aimed at modernising public services and improving efficiency. The two sides also agreed to explore AI applications in agriculture, including crop monitoring and forecasting, as well as cooperation on Pakistan’s digital payments system, e-commerce and the country’s mobile app and gaming industries.
The MoU also envisions using digital platforms to help Pakistani small and medium-sized enterprises reach international markets, an area officials hope will create new opportunities for exporters beyond the traditional IT sector.
Why It Matters
The agreement is being framed by Islamabad as a central piece of its plan to grow Pakistan’s digital economy and IT exports to $30 billion by 2030, a target that depends heavily on developing a skilled, technology-literate workforce from the country’s large youth population. Whether free access to AI tools translates into real gains for students and the broader IT sector will depend on how quickly the promised AI Centre of Excellence and Career Certificates programme actually reach students across the country, particularly outside major urban centres.
