In the wake of Microsoft officially shuttering its office in Pakistan, Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja has broken her silence to provide clarity on the situation. Addressing reporters after an IT Committee session, she emphasized that while Microsoft’s global restructuring involves substantial layoffs, the implications for Pakistan are limited.

“Microsoft has laid off 15,000 to 16,000 employees globally,” she said. “But their Pakistan office had only four to five employees, none of whom have left as of now.”

The minister stated that the Information Technology Ministry remains in close communication with Microsoft, working to ensure that the company’s services and customer support continue seamlessly via regional hubs and partner networks.

The confirmation follows a viral LinkedIn post by Jawad Rehman, former Microsoft Pakistan lead, who described the closure as a historic moment marking “the end of an era.” Microsoft subsequently released a statement acknowledging the office closure but reaffirming its commitment to Pakistani customers.

In a forward-looking move, Shaza Fatima drew attention to Pakistan’s expanding collaboration with Google, especially in artificial intelligence and education technology. She noted that Chromebook-related initiatives are underway, showing strong progress.

This update arrives shortly after Careem announced it would discontinue services in Pakistan, prompting broader industry concerns about the digital ecosystem’s resilience.

Despite setbacks, the minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to fostering a robust, innovation-driven IT landscape supported by partnerships with global tech leaders.