Pakistan's startup ecosystem is going through a rough patch, and delivery startup Cheetay has become its most visible casualty. The company is reportedly teetering on the edge of permanent closure as financial difficulties force startups across the country to consider shutdowns or deep staff cuts. Cheetay is not alone. Dastgyr, an eCommerce marketplace focused on business to business transactions, is also facing serious hurdles and has already moved to reduce its workforce. YAP, which operates as an electronic money institution in the fintech sector, has laid off a considerable number of employees in Pakistan and faces uncertainty around its in principle approval for an EMI licence. Paymob, another financial technology company, is in the middle of a significant rightsizing effort to stay sustainable as funding dries up. Together, these cases paint a picture of a demanding business environment where capital constraints are testing even well known names. The struggles underline how urgently the ecosystem needs easier access to finance and a more supportive environment for growth. For an economy counting on startups to create jobs and momentum, the current wave of distress is a warning sign that cannot be ignored.
mwrana
October 9, 2026
