Overview

• Microsoft has formally closed its liaison office in Pakistan and laid off its remaining five employees, ending a presence that began in June 2000.
• The exit is part of a global restructuring that saw roughly 9,100 job cuts and a pivot to a cloud-first, partner-led service model.
• Pakistan’s Ministry of IT and Telecom described the move as a long-signalled strategy to consolidate operations rather than a market retreat.
• Former President Arif Alvi warned that Microsoft’s departure highlights deeper economic and political challenges facing Pakistan.
• Microsoft will maintain customer agreements and support through certified local partners and adjacent regional offices without interruption.