Islamabad – July 7, 2025
The Pakistani government has strongly denied widespread media reports suggesting that Microsoft has shut down its operations in the country, calling the claims “baseless” and part of a “deliberate disinformation campaign” designed to mislead the public and damage Pakistan’s image globally.
In a firm statement issued Saturday, the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication pushed back against the viral narrative that the global tech giant had closed shop in Pakistan after more than two decades of presence.
“Microsoft never had a permanent office in Pakistan,” the ministry clarified, adding that the rumors circulating in both mainstream and social media were “misleading and malicious.” The ministry emphasized that there was no shutdown, no withdrawal — just a shift in Microsoft’s global operational strategy.
The clarification comes in response to headlines — many fueled by Indian media outlets — suggesting that Microsoft had exited Pakistan entirely, citing economic instability and a tough tech environment as the reasons. However, both Microsoft and Pakistani officials have confirmed that the company is simply moving toward a regional support model, which will continue to serve Pakistan through nearby hubs and authorized partners.
The change impacts only five employees in Pakistan and is part of a broader global restructuring effort, in which Microsoft has already cut around 9,000 jobs worldwide.
According to the ministry, Microsoft’s commercial licensing and operations in Pakistan have, for years, been managed from its regional office in Ireland — a standard practice for the company in many markets. “There’s no disengagement. Microsoft remains fully active and engaged with Pakistan,” the ministry stressed.
The statement comes at a critical time, as Pakistan ramps up its efforts to position itself as a regional tech hub. The government recently announced an ambitious plan to equip half a million young Pakistanis with globally recognized IT certifications — including programs offered by both Microsoft and Google.
Interestingly, while Microsoft is restructuring globally, Google appears to be expanding its footprint in Pakistan. The tech giant has pledged $10.5 million toward public education initiatives and is reportedly exploring plans to manufacture 500,000 Chromebooks locally by 2026.
Officials say the timing of the misleading Microsoft reports appears calculated to erode investor confidence — just as Pakistan accelerates its digital transformation agenda.
“Such campaigns do a disservice not just to Pakistan’s image, but to the thousands of young people preparing for careers in tech,” the IT Ministry said, vowing to counter misinformation with facts and transparency.
