Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja has publicly addressed concerns about Microsoft’s withdrawal from Pakistan, clarifying the broader context behind the development and outlining the ministry’s next steps.
The minister explained that Microsoft’s decision was part of a global workforce reduction, involving up to 16,000 job cuts worldwide. “In Pakistan, the local team consisted of just four to five individuals, and none of them have been laid off to date,” she stated.
Shaza Fatima reassured stakeholders that Pakistan remains on Microsoft’s radar, and emphasized that the government is in contact with the tech giant to ensure continuity in operations through regional offices and strategic partners.
The concerns were initially sparked by a LinkedIn post from Jawad Rehman, the former country head of Microsoft Pakistan. His announcement described the closure as the end of Microsoft’s 25-year run in the country, leading to significant speculation and media coverage.
Microsoft later confirmed it would continue to support Pakistani customers through its existing partner network, in line with practices in other smaller markets.
Beyond Microsoft, Shaza Fatima highlighted growing engagement with Google, especially in the field of AI innovation. She also pointed to promising progress with Google Chromebook integration, which could benefit schools, startups, and underserved areas.
The Microsoft news comes at a time when other tech companies like Careem are also exiting the Pakistani market, further underscoring the need for strong government partnerships with global technology players.
