Google Holds Think Apps 2026 in Lahore to Boost Pakistan's App and Gam

Google Holds Think Apps 2026 in Lahore to Boost Pakistan's App and Gaming Sector

Google staged Think Apps 2026 in Lahore, gathering top Pakistani developers and global experts to discuss AI-driven growth for local studios.

NationPulse Desk

Oct 22, 2026 · 1:02 PM 3 min read

Key takeaways

Think Apps 2026 was held in Lahore, gathering Pakistani developers and global industry leaders.

Local studios logged 4.6 billion downloads worldwide in the past twelve months.

The sector now employs over 30,000 professionals, up from fewer than 30 at its start.

Google pledged to train 100,000 Pakistani developers in AI by 2028 and produce 500,000 Chromebooks locally.

Google Play reaches more than three billion monthly active users, offering a large audience for developers.

Google hosted Think Apps 2026 in Lahore, bringing together Pakistan's leading developers with global and regional industry leaders and experts. The event, the year's largest for the app and gaming sector, centered on how AI can help Pakistani studios achieve sustainable growth on the world stage.

Local app and gaming studios have increasingly reached users beyond Pakistan, generating 4.6 billion downloads worldwide in the last twelve months. This expanding global footprint strengthens Pakistan's digital exports, especially as rapid AI advances create new chances for developers to scale, innovate and compete internationally.

During the conference, experts presented practical AI tools, growth tactics and monetisation frameworks designed to help studios streamline production, boost user engagement and enter high-value markets.

Pakistan's next digital export chapter

From a modest start with fewer than 30 people, the industry now employs over 30,000 professionals, showing deep local talent creating products for global audiences. Studios such as Game District and Funsol illustrate an ambitious ecosystem whose reach and vision extend far beyond the domestic market.

Farhan Qureshi, Google Cluster Director for Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand and Frontier Markets, addressed Think Apps 2026 in Lahore, emphasizing how AI can help Pakistani developers build globally competitive businesses and a lasting digital legacy.

"The global impact of Pakistan's developers reflects the world-class talent and ambition driving the local ecosystem," said Farhan Qureshi, Google Cluster Director for Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Frontier Markets. "By empowering developers with cutting-edge AI capabilities, our goal is to accelerate this momentum and enable studios to build high-value products that resonate globally, foster sustainable business growth, and elevate Pakistan's position in the global digital economy."

AI opens the next growth opportunity

Rising competition and higher user-acquisition costs are creating new challenges for developers. AI can speed up coding, improve creative production and shape apps around emerging user needs. Success will hinge on pairing these capabilities with product quality and experiences that retain users.

Through the Build, Yield and Scale roadmap, Google described support across that journey. Google Cloud AI can aid studios in product development, while Google Ads and AdMob assist with user acquisition and monetisation. Expanding into new categories and audiences offers pathways to international growth. Google Play's reach of more than three billion monthly active users highlights the audience size available to developers.

Investing in Pakistan's next generation

Google's commitment also includes preparing the next wave of Pakistani developers for global competition. The company pledged to train 100,000 developers in AI by 2028, to support the creation of next-generation apps and games, and to produce 500,000 Chromebooks locally, expanding technology access for digital education. Online safety training delivered to 200,000 families through its Digital Pasban program further supports the skills, access and confidence young Pakistanis need to join the digital economy at home and abroad.