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What Pakistan government said on Microsoft closing operations in the country: Full Statement

What Pakistan government said on Microsoft closing operations in the country: Full Statement

Time of India2 days ago
Microsoft recently completely shut down its operations in Pakistan. Microsoft had set up its operations in Pakistan in June 2000. Shutting down of Microsoft Pakistan after 25 years 'marked end of an era' as the company's first country head Jawwad Rehman said in a post on LinkedIn. '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,' Rehman wrote in the post.
The Redmond-based too has confirmed closing down its office in Pakistan. 'Our customer agreements and service will not be affected by this change,' a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement to TechCrunch. 'We follow this model successfully in a number of other countries around the world. Our customers remain our top priority and can expect the same high level of service going forward,' the spokesperson added.
The Pakistan government issued a statement on Microsoft closing operations in the country. The release titled, 'Microsoft's Operational Restructuring: Ensure Continued Commitment to Pakistan', termed Microsoft's decision part of a wider global restructuring. Here's is the full statement.
'Microsoft's Operational Restructuring: Ensure Continued Commitment to Pakistan'
The global pivot from on-premise software (transactional deals) to Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) (recurring revenue) continues to reshape how technology firms structure their international operations. Microsoft is no exception. Over the past few years the company has shifted licensing and commercial-contract management for Pakistan to its European hub in Ireland, while day-to-day service delivery here has been handled entirely by its certified local partners.
Against that backdrop, we understand Microsoft is now reviewing the future of its liaison office in Pakistan as part of a wider workforce-optimisation programme. This would reflect a long-signalled strategy, consolidating direct headcount and moving toward a partner-led, cloud-based delivery model, rather than a retreat from the Pakistani market.
Pakistan's Ministry of IT & Telecom recognises the strategic value of having leading global technology providers active in the country. We will continue to engage Microsoft's regional and global leadership to ensure that any structural changes strengthen, rather than diminish, Microsoft's long term commitment to Pakistani customers, developers and channel partners.
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