Islamabad – A 9-member delegation of Google, led by Mr Wilson White, Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Policy, called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Tuesday. Ms. Natalie Baker, Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Islamabad, also accompanied the delegation.
The Prime Minister, Mr Wilson White, Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker, and other dignitaries jointly unveiled a plaque to mark the inauguration of Google’s office in Pakistan.
Welcoming the delegation, the prime minister said Pakistan is undergoing a major digital transformation of governance, including the digitisation of the economy. He shared the government’s vision of “Digital Nation Pakistan” and informed the delegation that several initiatives to develop the national digital ecosystem are at an advanced stage of implementation.
The prime minister reiterated the government’s commitment to upgrading IT infrastructure and briefed the delegation on ongoing programs for training youth in IT and Artificial Intelligence. He emphasised the importance of collaboration with a global technology leader like Google in achieving these objectives.
The PM welcomed Google’s decision to open an office in Pakistan, noting that it would further strengthen the country’s partnership with the company. He appreciated Google’s role in advancing Pakistan’s digital economy and lauded its initiatives that have enabled thousands of Pakistani youth to secure productive employment. Highlighting the potential of Pakistan’s youth in the digital space, the Prime Minister expressed hope that Google would further expand its footprint to upskilling and empowering them. He added that with Google’s local presence now established, high-impact programs could be scaled up further. Mr Wilson White briefed the Prime Minister on Google’s future plans. He said the local office would deepen Google’s commitment to accelerating Pakistan’s digital transformation and build on years of existing partnership to create long-term opportunities for Pakistani youth and help local businesses go global. Expressing satisfaction over the ongoing Chromebook assembly line established by Google with local partners, Mr. White noted strong potential for Chromebooks assembled in Pakistan to be exported to other countries in the region. He stated that Google recognizes the immense potential of Pakistan’s young population and is keen to expand upskilling programs in IT, AI, gaming, and other areas.
Also, PM Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities concerned to ensure coordinated and effective measures to provide employment opportunities to the youth under the National Youth Employment Policy.
He issued the directives while chairing a progress review meeting on the implementation of roadmap of National Youth Employment Policy in Islamabad.
The PM said providing dignified employment to the skilled and talented youth of the country is one of the top priorities of the government. He said the launch of the country’s first-ever National Youth Employment Policy by the government is a testament of our sincere efforts.
Shehbaz Sharif said inter-ministerial cooperation and a comprehensive strategy are essential for taking measures under the National Youth Employment Policy.
He said a progress review meeting on the implementation of the National Youth Employment Policy will be held every month.
The PM instructed that special attention should be paid to transform the youth, especially women of the nation skillful to ensure their inclusion in new employment opportunities.
He particularly mentioned that special attention needs to be paid to provide employment opportunities to the youth of the country, especially Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the National Youth Employment Policy.
Shehbaz Sharif said institutional reforms have been introduced in the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission and SMEDA to align the country’s skilled workforce with the business and industrial demand at home and abroad.
The Prime Minister issued instructions for launching an awareness campaign regarding the benefits that the youth would get under this policy.
The meeting was briefed that National Vocational and Technical Training Commission is taking special measures to provide workforce with international certifications and proficiency in the languages required for employment abroad.
It was also briefed that youth are being imparted training according to market demand to facilitate employment opportunities overseas.
Additionally, the government initiatives have also enabled the Digital Youth Hub to provide youth across the country with information on domestic and international employment opportunities through a single platform.
The meeting was informed that all ministries and relevant institutions are working together through mutual coordination and consultation to ensure effective implementation of the National Youth Employment Policy.
It was told in the meeting that Youth Development Cells are being established in educational institutions. These cells will provide youth with guidance and career counseling, while also informing them about employment and skills-development opportunities.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet Committee on Energy has approved the High-Level Design Report for the Integrated Energy Plan 2027–2060 to ensure energy security and economic competitiveness in the power sector.
The approval was accorded during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy held in Islamabad today, with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in the chair.
The energy plan will involve stakeholders beyond the federal and provincial governments.
Under the plan, a strategy will be evolved to provide electricity to industrial and domestic consumers at reasonable prices.
Furthermore, low-carbon power generation with environment- and climate-friendly energy sources will be promoted.
During the meeting, the Power Division presented amendments to the National Electricity Plan 2023–2027.
The amendments were related to integrated energy planning, an increase in power generation, the supply of electricity generated from renewable sources in remote areas, cross-border trade of electricity, expansion of the transmission system, tariff design, electricity conservation, system and market operations, identification of risks and administrative matters in this regard, improvement of local capacity for fuel and technology, research and development, and digitization.
While approving the amendments, the Cabinet Committee directed that further consultations should also be held with the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority regarding these amendments.
A report on circular debt in the power and gas sectors for the financial year 2025–2026 was also presented to the Cabinet Committee on Energy.
