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

The company said the initiative would create roughly 40 jobs over the next two years, most of them in Sialkot and Peshawar. It did not disclose the size of the investment, but people familiar with the plans put the figure at between $40 million and $350 million.

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.

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What critics are saying

Industry observers say the timing is significant. Pakistan's edtech sector grew 8% last year, according to the National Incubation Center, even as venture funding across South Asia slowed sharply.

"The infrastructure gap is real, but it is closing faster than most people realise."

Ayesha Siddiqui, professor of computer science at CreditBook

Government officials welcomed the development. A spokesperson for the Federal Board of Revenue said the initiative "aligns with the national digital agenda" and promised faster approvals for similar projects.

How the deal came together

The numbers tell part of the story. Freelancers in Pakistan brought in $200 million in Q1 2025, and the country remains one of the largest suppliers of online talent in the world.

Key points

  • New features will support Urdu alongside English
  • Funding round values the company at about $80 million
  • Roughly 300 jobs expected over the next two years
  • Competitors including Telenor Pakistan are expected to respond within months

Employees will be offered training through a partnership with Habib University, the company said, with a focus on cloud engineering, data analysis and product management.

Several competitors have made similar bets. Systems Limited expanded into Quetta earlier this year, while Amazon has been quietly hiring engineers in Lahore and Islamabad.

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