New Delhi, July 5 -- As Microsoft closed its Pakistan operations after 25 years, the tech giant's founding head in the country had a sombre message regarding the country's economic environment, where the company started a hope-filled mission years ago.

While Microsoft announcing its Pakistan exit cited cited global restructuring and a shift to a cloud-based, partner-led model as the reason, various stakeholders termed on Friday as a "troubling sign" for the country's economy.

Microsoft Pakistan founding head Jawwad Rehman was among the first persons who confirmed the exit. "The last few remaining employees were formally informed and just like that, an era ends," he said in a post on LinkedIn.

"Exactly 25 years ago, in June 2000, I had ...