News tracker: who's cutting, who's hiring

Dawn reported that around 40% of power-loom units in Faisalabad and adjoining towns have shut, in a sector of nearly 800,000 looms. A workers' union leader told Dawn more than 100,000 workers have lost jobs; that figure is his claim, not an official count. Industry blames cheaper Chinese imports, utility bills, taxes and trade disruptions.

Sources: Dawn · Profit (Pakistan Today)

• 9 Oct 2026: Added to the tracker as Reported (Dawn, 7 Oct 2026). The 100,000+ jobs figure is attributed to a union leader.

Pakistan engineering cuts were mentioned in a LinkedIn post. No official figure.

Sources: LinkedIn (individual post)

Affected staff told TechJuice that about 150 people were let go at the Islamabad head office.

Company response: Zong called the report "inaccurate" and "unsubstantiated".

Sources: TechJuice · Pakistan Observer

An employee-shared breakdown on Reddit says about 251 roles were cut globally (around 5% of the workforce) and puts 88 of them in Pakistan. Not officially confirmed, and we have no named news report or company statement yet.

Sources: Reddit, r/developersPak

• 6 Oct 2026: Added the global figure (about 251 roles, around 5%) from the same employee-shared Reddit breakdown. Status unchanged: Unconfirmed.

Business Recorder reported, citing sources, that the merged Telenor Pakistan and Ufone company was expected to cut duplicate roles, with insiders estimating a reduction of about 300 to 500 employees and compensation limited to a few months' salary. No official figure.

Company response: The company told Business Recorder it "cannot comment on speculation related to internal plans" while it focuses on integration.

Sources: Business Recorder · TechJuice

• 9 Oct 2026: Added to the tracker as Reported (Business Recorder, 6 Jul 2026). The company declined to comment; it did not deny the report.

Pakistan tech teams were hit as part of global cuts, reported alongside the closure of Careem's Berlin office and cuts across other markets. No headcount disclosed.

Sources: TechJuice · Pakistan Observer · FWDstart

Hiring approved, not yet advertised. Punjab's Chief Minister approved PHAs in every district and recruitment against 2,820 technical posts, including managing directors, directors and district-level technical staff, according to APP, Dunya News and 24News HD (Radio Pakistan confirms the district decision but not the number). Pay scales, eligibility, dates and the hiring process have not been announced.

Sources: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan) · Dunya News · 24News HD · Radio Pakistan

• 9 Oct 2026: Added to the tracker as Confirmed (official meeting reported by APP and Radio Pakistan, 9 Oct 2026). Approval only; no job advertisement yet.

Hiring halted. Dawn reported that the President, as PIFD's chancellor, ordered the institute to halt recruitment for teaching and non-teaching posts in 27 categories advertised on 4 Oct, until a review panel examining the PIFD Senate reports.

Sources: Dawn

• 9 Oct 2026: Added to the tracker as Reported (Dawn, 8 Oct 2026): recruitment halted until further orders.

37 employees laid off. Often shown on 2026 lists, but this round was in November 2025.

Sources: Profit (Pakistan Today)

About 80 roles cut. Often shown on 2026 lists, but this round was in July 2024.

Sources: Profit (Pakistan Today)

About 600 roles cut. Often shown on 2026 lists, but this round was in February 2024.

Sources: Profit (Pakistan Today)