‘Big milestone’: Google’s local office inaugurated in Pakistan

Google, the US-based technology giant, on Tuesday inaugurated its local office in Pakistan.

According to state-run PTV, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met a Google delegation led by the company’s Global Affairs Vice President Wilson L. White at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad.

US Chargé d’Affaires in Pakistan Natalie Baker also attended the meeting.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz said there was “great scope” for a fruitful partnership with Google and for strengthening bilateral ties in various areas.

“Pakistan is going through a major digital transformation. In many areas of our governance, there is a youth bulge and we can really turn around Pakistan’s fortunes,” he said.

“We are doing a lot and a lot more needs to be done.”

Meanwhile, Google’s vice president described his visit as a “big milestone”.

“Google has been investing in and committed to Pakistan for over a decade, and today we have reached a milestone where we are opening a local office in Pakistan,” White said.

He appreciated PM Shehbaz’s vision of turning Pakistan into a $30 billion IT export hub.

White added that Google was partnering with Pakistan to advance this vision in three ways: by investing in Pakistani people; by investing in manufacturing and infrastructure to boost hardware exports; and, thirdly, by investing in local businesses.

PM Shehbaz, along with the Google official, formally inaugurated Google’s Pakistan office, terming it a “stepping stone” towards a long-term partnership.

More to follow