Microsoft is wrapping up its physical operations in Pakistan, ending a 25-year chapter in the country.
The company confirmed that it will no longer run a local office, but will continue supporting customers through resellers and regional teams based outside Pakistan.
What This Means for Microsoft Customers in Pakistan
If you use Microsoft products in Pakistan, nothing will change for you.
In a statement, the company said that customer service and agreements remain the same. Support will now come from certified partners and nearby Microsoft offices, just like in other countries where the company doesn’t have a physical presence.
“We already follow this model in several countries, and our top priority remains our customers,” Microsoft said.
Why Microsoft Is Making the Change
The closure affects just five employees. Microsoft didn’t have an engineering team in Pakistan — its local staff mainly focused on selling products like Azure and Office 365.
The company is also going through global restructuring, cutting about 9,000 jobs worldwide — around 4% of its workforce. Microsoft says this decision in Pakistan is part of that broader shift.
A Move Years in the Making
This wasn’t an overnight decision.
Over the last few years, Microsoft had already moved contract and licensing management for Pakistan to its Ireland office. Local partners have also been handling much of the day-to-day customer service.
Pakistan’s Information and Broadcasting Ministry called it part of a “workforce optimization” strategy. They added that they’ll keep working with Microsoft’s global team to make sure the company stays committed to the local market.
A Former Microsoft Leader Speaks Out
Jawwad Rehman, Microsoft’s first country manager in Pakistan, shared his reaction in a post on LinkedIn.
“This is more than just a corporate exit. It’s a wake-up call,” he wrote.
“Even global giants like Microsoft now see it as too difficult to operate here.”
Rehman also criticized the lack of progress made by Microsoft’s teams in recent years, saying they didn’t build on the strong foundation that was already in place.
A Tough Moment for Pakistan’s Tech Sector
Microsoft’s exit comes at an awkward time.
Just days ago, Pakistan’s federal government announced a plan to offer IT certifications from Google and Microsoft to half a million young people.
Meanwhile, Google recently:
- Invested $10.5 million in Pakistan’s public education system
- Announced plans to consider Pakistan as a site to manufacture 500,000 Chromebooks by 2026
So while Google leans in, Microsoft steps back.
Why Microsoft Struggled to Grow in Pakistan
Unlike countries like India, Pakistan hasn’t become a major destination for global tech companies to set up engineering teams.
Instead, the local tech scene is mostly powered by:
- Homegrown companies building their own tech solutions
- Chinese firms like Huawei, which offer large-scale infrastructure to telcos and banks
That makes it harder for U.S.-based companies to gain a strong foothold.
Key Points at a Glance
- Microsoft is shutting down its local office in Pakistan after 25 years
- Customers will still get support through resellers and regional offices
- Only five local employees were affected by the closure
- Microsoft has no engineering team in Pakistan
- It’s part of a global job cut impacting 9,000 roles
- Google is still investing in the country’s tech and education sector
Final Thought
Microsoft’s quiet exit from Pakistan is more than just a business move — it’s a sign of deeper challenges in the country’s tech environment.
While services will still be available, losing a local presence could mean fewer opportunities, slower growth, and less visibility in a region that needs global investment more than ever.