Microsoft exits Pakistan after 25 years amid global restructuring and layoffs
PTC News Desk: In yet another move that has rattled Pakistan, tech giant Microsoft has shut down its operations in Pakistan and announced closure of its local office ending a 25-year presence in the country.
The tech giant is believed to have adopted a global workforce reduction strategy and aiming to serve Pakistani clients remotely through its regional hubs and authorised resellers, rather than maintaining a direct presence on the ground. it has announced that a similar model is already in place in several other countries.
Microsoft’s decision to shut down operations in Pakistan is a troubling sign for our economic future. I vividly recall February 2022, when Bill Gates visited my office. On behalf of the people of Pakistan, I had the honor of conferring the Hilal-e-Imtiaz on him for his remarkable… pic.twitter.com/T4SMkp6Mn0 — Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) July 3, 2025
Meanwhile the company has also assured that the existing customer agreements and services will unaffected, and that the quality of support will remain consistent.
Former Microsoft Pakistan country head Jawwad Rehman has urged the government to take proactive steps to retain and attract global tech players. “Even global giants like Microsoft find it unsustainable to stay,” he wrote in a LinkedIn post.
Former President Arif Alvi also weighed in on social media, labelling Microsoft’s retreat as “a troubling sign for our economic future.” Alvi also said the Microsoft once considered expanding its footprints across the country but eventually chose Vietnam over its economic and political stability. “The opportunity was lost,” he added.
Microsoft's exit after more than two decades is another wake-up call for Pakistan to focus on economic and political stability coupled with clear governance and stronger engagement with the global tech community.
- With inputs from agencies
