500,000 Free Google & Microsoft Certifications Announced

The federal government is set to roll out 500,000 digital certifications from Google and Microsoft in 2025 as part of a large-scale digital upskilling drive, officials announced. Alongside this, plans are underway to include artificial intelligence AI education in the primary school curriculum. The students can get latest updates of Pakistan to Launch 500,000 International Tech Certifications and Introduce AI in Early Education.

Federal Minister for Information Technology, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, shared the update during a recent briefing to the Senate Standing Committee. She highlighted the objective behind the initiative: narrowing the digital divide and equipping young Pakistanis with competitive skills in the global tech landscape. The collaboration with top-tier companies like Google and Microsoft is expected to open new employment avenues for the country’s youth.

Shaza also revealed that a Prime Minister-led education reform committee is assessing current school programs with the goal of embedding AI instruction at the early education level. She emphasized that early familiarity with emerging technologies such as AI is essential to building a future-ready generation capable of meeting evolving global workforce demands.

Expressing concern over the growing number of unemployed IT graduates, the minister criticized universities for failing to align their programs with job market requirements. She recommended cutting public funding for institutions that repeatedly produce graduates with limited job prospects. The Higher Education Commission HEC, she suggested, should monitor academic performance and prioritize support for programs that demonstrate real-world value.

In addition, the committee reviewed the recruitment process for the Director General of International Coordination. Shaza clarified that although the current official was reinstated, the position was publicly re-advertised to maintain transparency and allow new candidates to compete fairly. Over 1,400 applications were received, and Shaza explained that the role is meant for experienced individuals to enhance Pakistan’s global collaboration efforts—not for fresh graduates.