Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Microsoft has officially ceased its direct operations in Pakistan after 25 years, as per a Financial Times report. The move, which was confirmed by Jawwad Rehman, the ex-founding country head of Microsoft Pakistan and reported widely by various media outlets, is yet to be justified by the brand, although experts cite the country’s challenging economic and political landscape.
Microsoft initially established its presence in Pakistan on March 7, 2000, and with its departure on July 3, 2025, it marks the end of an era for the software giant’s presence in the country. Microsoft played a significant role in the country’s digital transformation, promoting IT standards and supporting digital literacy initiatives.
In a LinkedIn post, Rehman wrote, “Today, I learned that Microsoft is officially closing its operations in Pakistan. The last few remaining employees were formally informed and just like that, an era ends…”
Rehman shed light on the reasons that led Microsoft to take such a drastic decision. “But today’s news forces reflection. 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 Microsoft,” he mentioned.
