Talal urges Google to remain sensitive to Pakistan’s ‘specific circumstances’

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry on Wednesday urged Google to remain sensitive to Pakistan’s “specific circumstances” and work with the government to create a safer digital environment, the Ministry of Information said.

The meeting came a day after Google opened its first office in Pakistan, with the company saying the move reflected its confidence in the country’s digital future and talent. Google has also partnered with the government on digital-skilling programmes and other initiatives supporting developers, startups, gaming, hardware manufacturing and online safety.

A senior Google delegation led by Senior Director David Wheeler met Talal Chaudhry to discuss digital security, the effective use of social media in countering terrorism, the timely removal of online content and greater cooperation, the ministry said.

Google Pakistan representative Dr Kyle Gardner was also part of the delegation.

Chaudhry said Pakistan wanted to further strengthen cooperation and coordination with Google to promote a safe and peaceful digital environment.

“Pakistan’s geographical location is different from that of other countries, and digital platforms will have to take Pakistan’s specific circumstances into account,” Chaudhry said.

He said terrorists were using social media to promote terrorism and spread fear, adding that proactive monitoring of social media was essential given Pakistan’s circumstances.

The minister also stressed the need for effective use of social media in countering terrorism and for the timely prevention of harmful online content.

Read: Google opens doors to Pakistan’s digital future

Wheeler said Google would continue to cooperate with the government to help ensure a safe digital environment in Pakistan.

The meeting was also attended by members of the Social Media Protection and Regulation Authority, M Saad Ali and Salman Zafar; Director General of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency Khurram Ali; and Joint Secretary of the Interior Ministry Malik Sanaullah.

Google has expanded its engagement with Pakistan in recent years through digital-skilling, AI, gaming, app development and online-safety programmes. Since 2022, it has awarded 350,000 Career Certificate scholarships, while its developer groups have reached around 300,000 developers. It has also supported local Chromebook assembly and trained students, educators and developers in digital skills and emerging technologies.

The government has sought to expand the IT sector, digitalise the economy and develop skills in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

IT Minister lauds opening of Google office

Separately, Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the opening of Google’s first office in Pakistan would strengthen the country’s talent pipeline and provide further support to the local technology ecosystem.

Talking to the media, she said, “I hope the office would support Pakistan’s talent pipeline and strengthen both the global technology sector and the local domestic ecosystem.”

The presence of Google and other major international technology companies in Pakistan would encourage more global firms to establish operations in the country, she added, saying their physical presence reflected international tech firms’ confidence in Pakistan’s economy and leadership.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had personally led the digital transformation agenda over the previous two years and provided a roadmap through the Digital Nation Pakistan initiative.

“Over the last two years, we have seen the digitisation of the federal government, including work on the FBR and revenue side, the digital economy, cashless payments and digital governance,” she said.

Pakistan’s IT exports had grown by around 20% annually over the previous two and a half years, reflecting growth in the private sector, while the country’s freelancing economy had exceeded $1 billion during the year. These developments had helped build confidence in the international community, she added.

Shaza thanked the prime minister for his leadership, commitment and support for the technology industry, which had received special treatment in the budget, including its placement in the final tax regime for exports and a 0.25% tax on exports.

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She also highlighted the government’s “whole-of-government” approach and the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), saying its efforts, along with those of the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication and its departments, had contributed to the establishment of Google’s office.

“This is a collective collaboration and teamwork that made it possible for Google’s office to open in Pakistan today,” she said.

The government’s partnership with Google had also resulted in around 350,000 Google certifications being completed in Pakistan in recent years. Work was under way on certification programmes for 3,000 public service officers.

The AI Seekho programme, organised with the Google Developers Group, had attracted more than 17,000 teams, with women accounting for 25% of participants. Around 50,000 developers had also received training in gaming and animation, while Think Apps and App Design Master Classes had trained about 120 companies in gaming and design.

A Chromebook assembly line had also been inaugurated in Pakistan the previous year. Google Chromebooks were being assembled locally, with the government exploring opportunities to export them, she added.

Shaza also highlighted initiatives providing training in journalism and online safety.

“The purpose of these initiatives is to tell you that our partnership with Google is providing support to the overall tech ecosystem. This is a manifestation of our teamwork and partnership with Google,” she said.

July’s IT export figures had shown an 18% year-on-year increase, with Pakistan recording exports worth $417 million during the month.

The high trade surplus generated by IT exports was particularly important for Pakistan’s foreign exchange position, she added.

“Tech exports have an 85-86% trade surplus,” Shaza said, explaining that the sector did not require significant machinery imports, allowing a large share of export earnings to remain in the country.

IT exports were therefore playing a fundamental role in Pakistan’s economy, she added, expressing optimism that the government would continue to report positive developments in the technology sector in the coming months.

With additional input from APP