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Pakistan, Google sign MoU to expand AI, digital skills & drive $30bn digital economy

ISLAMABAD: The Government of Pakistan and Google on Friday signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate the country’s digital transformation, expand digital skills and promote artificial intelligence-driven innovation, with an ambitious target of taking Pakistan’s IT exports and digital economy to $30 billion by 2030.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif witnessed the signing ceremony and hosted a special reception in honour of the visiting Google leadership delegation, a Prime Minister’s Office news release said.

Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the agreement as an important milestone in Pakistan’s partnership with Google and said it would help empower the country’s youth with modern tools, techniques and technology.

“It’s a wonderful day in our partnership. It’s a stepping stone towards a long journey of contributing towards a field that is very important,” the prime minister said.

He said Pakistan was undergoing a major digital transformation, particularly in the area of governance, and stressed the need to harness the potential of the country’s young population.

“We have a youth bulge and we can really turn around Pakistan’s fortunes,” he added.

The ceremony was attended by Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Wilson White, Vice President Government Affairs and Public Policy at Google, US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker and senior government officials.

Under the MoU, Google will provide 150,000 Google Career Certificates to Pakistani youth in 2026, equipping them with market-ready skills in high-demand technical fields and helping expand employment opportunities in high-growth areas.

The agreement also envisages exploring the provision of advanced AI tools to students, including one-year free access to Google AI Plus and Gemini Notebook, to support academic and research pursuits and enhance the competitiveness of Pakistani youth.

A key component of the agreement is the establishment of a dedicated Google AI Centre of Excellence in Islamabad. The centre will train Pakistani youth and human resources according to international technology market standards.

The MoU also provides for collaboration in mobile applications and the gaming industry, strengthening digital payment ecosystems, digital trade and the use of AI in government and key economic sectors.

Under the Prime Minister’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) transformation plan, Google will support the FBR in deploying AI to modernise public service delivery, streamline government operations and accelerate its digital transformation.

The partnership will also promote the use of AI in agriculture for crop monitoring, yield forecasting and sustainable farming practices.

Digital platforms will be utilised to help small and medium enterprises expand their presence in international markets, while Pakistan and Google will work together to support local app developers and gaming studios.

The two sides will also explore measures to strengthen the country’s digital payments ecosystem and expand digital trade.

Secretary of the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication Zarrar Hasham Khan and Google’s Head of South-East Asia and South Asia Public Policy David Weller signed the MoU.

Minister for IT and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the government had worked over the past two years to modernise Pakistan’s digital infrastructure, facilitate business and expand the country’s IT skills base and human resource capacity.

She described the agreement as a testament to the progress made under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership in advancing the country’s digital transformation agenda and positioning Pakistan as a competitive player in the global digital economy.

Google Cluster Director for Pakistan, the Philippines and Thailand Farhan Qureshi said the collaboration represented a major step towards unlocking Pakistan’s digital potential and empowering the next generation of talent.

He said Google would support Pakistan’s journey towards a $30 billion digital economy by expanding access to critical skills, advanced AI tools and sector-specific innovations.

The MoU also provides for the establishment of a joint task force comprising representatives of the government, Google and key industry stakeholders.

The task force will identify impediments and enablers to IT export growth, including an investment framework for hardware manufacturing and services, expansion of global market access and upskilling of human resources.

The agreement is aimed at creating new employment and investment opportunities, strengthening Pakistan’s digital ecosystem and supporting the government’s broader national digitalisation agenda.

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Health minister orders probe into Sindh MDCAT complaints

ISLAMABAD:Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal has taken notice of alleged irregularities in the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) held in Sindh and ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the complaints.

According to official sources, the minister directed a five-member committee, including the President of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), to conduct a transparent investigation and submit its report within 15 days.

The committee has been tasked with examining the complaints and reviewing the circumstances surrounding the alleged irregularities during the examination, sources said.

The minister directed the committee to complete the inquiry within the stipulated timeframe and present its findings for further action in accordance with the applicable rules.

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CDA chairman directs faster work on Expressway East project

ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Sohail Ashraf has directed officials to accelerate work on the Islamabad Expressway Service Road East project while ensuring strict compliance with approved designs and construction standards.

During an inspection of the project on Saturday, the chairman reviewed progress and was briefed on ongoing works and the next phase of development.

He directed the project director and relevant departments to maintain continuous field monitoring and quality control and ensure effective traffic management to minimise inconvenience to commuters.

The chairman described the Expressway East project as an important infrastructure scheme for improving connectivity, traffic flow and road capacity in the capital. He also stressed that construction quality should not be compromised in efforts to meet the project timeline.

During the visit, he was also briefed on an ongoing enforcement operation against unauthorised and illegal construction along the Islamabad Expressway.

According to the CDA, 377 buildings have been identified for action, including 281 commercial structures. So far, 58 buildings have been sealed, while 124 buildings between Sohan and Khanna bridges have been marked for demolition.

The authority said Rs234.685 million had been recovered through land-use conversion, unauthorised construction and de-sealing charges. Around Rs3 billion remained recoverable under applicable regulations in connection with land-use conversion and violations relating to unauthorised construction, setbacks, floor area ratio and covered area.

The chairman directed the relevant departments to ensure strict enforcement of building-control and land-use regulations, particularly mandatory fire-safety requirements.

The enforcement operation is being conducted by the CDA’s Building Control Section and Enforcement Directorate in coordination with the district administration and Islamabad police.

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GB ministers call on Governor Kundi

PESHAWAR: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Saturday held a meeting with a delegation of Gilgit-Baltistan ministers at the Governor’s House here and discussed the country’s political situation and other matters of mutual interest.

The delegation comprised Gilgit-Baltistan Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Zulfiqar Ali Murad, Minister for Health Iqbal Hassan and Minister for Education Aman Ali Ameer.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the prevailing political situation in the country and various issues of mutual interest. They also discussed the recent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan and the Pakistan Peoples Party’s success in the polls.

The visiting ministers were taken on a tour of the Governor’s House. Governor Kundi presented them with traditional shawls and caps.