Salesforce announced a new product line on Thursday, the latest sign that global technology companies are paying closer attention to South Asian markets.
Government officials welcomed the development. A spokesperson for the State Bank of Pakistan said the initiative "aligns with the national digital agenda" and promised faster approvals for similar projects.
Investors remain cautiously optimistic. Total venture funding into Pakistani startups reached $200 million in Q1 2026, the strongest quarter since 2021.
What critics are saying
Universities are responding too. LUMS has added new courses in logistics, and enrolment in computer science programmes rose 18% this year.
"If the regulator gets this right, it could unlock billions in investment. If it gets it wrong, companies will simply move offshore."
Zainab Qureshi, research director at Systems Limited
Behind the scenes, the deal took nearly 30 months to negotiate, according to two people involved in the talks who asked not to be named because the discussions were private.
What critics are saying
For consumers, the immediate impact is likely to be modest. Prices are expected to stay flat until at least September, and the new features will roll out gradually across the country.
Key points
- Pricing to remain unchanged until at least February
- Regulatory approval from the Pakistan Software Export Board still pending
- Rollout begins in Faisalabad and Lahore before expanding nationwide
- Roughly 150 jobs expected over the next two years
Industry observers say the timing is significant. Pakistan's healthtech sector grew 27% last year, according to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce, even as venture funding across South Asia slowed sharply.
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.
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