AMD reported record quarterly earnings on Thursday, the latest sign that global technology companies are paying closer attention to South Asian markets.

Security experts have urged users to enable two-factor authentication and to update their apps promptly, noting that attackers increasingly target mobile-first 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.

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Background

The move comes as regulators tighten oversight. the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority issued new guidelines in October requiring companies to store customer data locally and to report security incidents within 72 hours.

"Our customers told us they wanted something simple, local and in their own language. That is what we shipped."

Bilal Khan, senior analyst at Systems Limited

The company said the initiative would create roughly 15 jobs over the next two years, most of them in Lahore and Rawalpindi. It did not disclose the size of the investment, but people familiar with the plans put the figure at between $15 million and $350 million.

Key takeaways

Still, questions remain about long-term sustainability. Margins in the telecom business are thin, and customer acquisition costs have risen sharply since 2022.

Key points

  • Regulatory approval from the Pakistan Software Export Board still pending
  • Competitors including 10Pearls are expected to respond within months
  • Roughly 15 jobs expected over the next two years
  • Rollout begins in Faisalabad and Islamabad before expanding nationwide

Analysts at NayaPay estimate that the addressable market could be worth $80 million by 2026, driven by a young population and rising smartphone ownership.

The challenge now is execution. Previous attempts to build large-scale technology infrastructure in the country have stalled because of financing gaps and bureaucratic delays.

Reporting by the WritePures newsroom. Have a tip? Contact our editors.