Microsoft announced a new product line on Wednesday, the latest sign that global technology companies are paying closer attention to South Asian markets.
Not everyone is convinced. Critics point to a shortage of skilled engineers, unreliable power supply and a tax regime that changes almost every budget cycle as reasons for caution.
Still, questions remain about long-term sustainability. Margins in the edtech business are thin, and customer acquisition costs have risen sharply since 2020.
The bigger picture
The broader picture is one of steady growth. Internet penetration now exceeds 42% of the population, and mobile broadband subscriptions have more than doubled since 2019.
"Students who learn to work with AI tools today will define the workforce of 2035."
Omar Farooq, security researcher at 10Pearls
Security experts have urged users to enable two-factor authentication and to update their apps promptly, noting that attackers increasingly target mobile-first markets.
What users should expect
The service will initially be available in Multan, Sialkot and Islamabad, with a nationwide launch planned for later in 2030.
Key points
- Pricing to remain unchanged until at least November
- Rollout begins in Rawalpindi and Quetta before expanding nationwide
- Roughly 120 jobs expected over the next two years
- Competitors including Careem are expected to respond within months
Universities are responding too. NED University has added new courses in renewable energy, and enrolment in computer science programmes rose 15% this year.
Investors remain cautiously optimistic. Total venture funding into Pakistani startups reached $500 million in Q3 2026, the strongest quarter since 2022.
Reporting by the WritePures newsroom. Have a tip? Contact our editors.
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