TechCapsules

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Microsoft has announced that it will be closing its local operations in Pakistan, bringing an end to its 25-year presence in the South Asian nation. The company has confirmed that it will be changing its operational model in Pakistan, and will instead serve its customers through resellers and other closely located Microsoft offices. In a statement to TechCrunch, a Microsoft spokesperson emphasized that the company's customer agreements and service will not be affected by this change. "We follow this model successfully in a number of other countries around the world," the spokesperson said. "Our customers remain our top priority and can expect the same high level of service going forward." The decision is expected to impact five Microsoft employees in Pakistan, according to sources familiar with the matter. It is worth noting that Microsoft did not have any engineering resources in Pakistan, unlike in other growing markets such as India. Instead, the company's employees in Pakistan were focused on selling Azure and Office products. This closure comes amid broader company restructuring efforts. Pakistan's Information and Broadcasting Ministry has described Microsoft's exit as part of a wider workforce-optimization program. Earlier this week, Microsoft reduced its global workforce by 4%, or approximately 9,000 roles, in a move designed to prepare for the transition. As part of this process, Microsoft had shifted licensing and commercial responsibilities to other offices in the region.