TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The technology company Microsoft has ceased its operations in Pakistan. A report from TechCrunch on Friday, July 4, 2025, stated that Microsoft has ended its 25-year presence in the country. The company has changed its operational model in Pakistan and will now serve customers through retailers.
"Our customer agreements and service will not be affected by this change," the statement said.
Looking Back at Microsoft's Entry into Pakistan
Former Microsoft executive and first leader in Pakistan, Jawwad Rehman, announced the company's exit in a LinkedIn post on Thursday, July 3, 2025.
"This is more than a corporate exit. It’s a sobering signal of the environment our country has created … one where even global giants like Microsoft find it unsustainable to stay. It also reflects on what was done (or not done) with the strong foundation we left behind by the subsequent team and regional management of Microsof," Rehman wrote.
Microsoft entered Pakistan in 1998 by opening its first representative office in Karachi. Microsoft Pakistan operated as a liaison office working with local companies, system integrators, and public institutions.
Unlike in India and other emerging markets, Microsoft did not maintain a technical team in Pakistan. Former staff members focused on promoting Azure and Office products in the country.
The company’s exit from Pakistan was driven by a larger internal restructuring. Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said Microsoft’s move was part of a global workforce optimization program.
Microsoft had previously shifted its licensing management and commercial contracts for Pakistan to its operations center in Ireland. Certified local partners continued to manage daily services.
"We will continue to engage Microsoft’s regional and global leadership to ensure that any structural changes strengthen, rather than diminish, Microsoft’s long-term commitment to Pakistani customers, developers and channel partners," said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of Pakistan.
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