Microsoft shuts its Pakistan office after 25 years, sparks economic concerns

The tech elephantine cites planetary restructuring and a displacement to a cloud-based, partner-led exemplary arsenic the crushed for closing its office

Photo for representational intent only. iStock

Tech elephantine Microsoft has announced to unopen down its constricted operations successful Pakistan arsenic portion of its planetary strategy to trim workforce, which assorted stakeholders termed connected Friday arsenic a “troubling sign” for the country's economy.

Microsoft, portion closing its bureau successful Pakistan connected Thursday aft 25 years, cited planetary restructuring and a displacement to a cloud-based, partner-led model.

The determination came arsenic the tech elephantine chopped astir 9,100 jobs worldwide (or astir 4 per cent of its workforce) successful its largest layoff circular since 2023.

Jawwad Rehman, erstwhile founding Country Manager of Microsoft Pakistan, urged the authorities and IT curate to prosecute with the tech giants with a bold KPI (Key Performance Indicators) driven plan.

He said the exit reflected the existent concern climate. “Even planetary giants similar Microsoft find it unsustainable to stay,” helium posted connected LinkedIn.

Former Pakistan president Arif Alvi, successful a station connected X, besides expressed interest implicit Microsoft shutting down operations.

“It is simply a troubling motion for our economical future,” helium wrote.

He claimed Microsoft erstwhile considered Pakistan for expansion, but that instability led the institution to take Vietnam alternatively by precocious 2022.

“The accidental was lost,” helium wrote.

Jawwad explained that Microsoft didn't run a afloat commercialized basal successful Pakistan, relying alternatively connected liaison offices focused connected enterprise, education, and authorities clients.

Over caller years, overmuch of that enactment had already shifted to section partners, portion licensing and contracts were managed from its European hub successful Ireland.