With China as one of the major players, the production of mobile phones by local manufacturing plants in Pakistan has surpassed the number of mobile phones imported in the country.
According to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), during Jan-July, the production of mobile phones by local manufacturing plants was 12.27 Million and imported mobile phones were recorded at 8.29 Million. These phones also include 4.87 million 4G smartphones.
Earlier, the Government of Pakistan introduced a comprehensive mobile manufacturing policy to encourage and attract manufacturers to establish their units in Pakistan. PTA in light of the policy, issued Mobile Device Manufacturing (MDM) Regulations on 28 January 2021. Until now, 26 companies have been issued MDM authorization, enabling them to manufacture mobile devices in Pakistan. China’s Oppo, TECNO and Infinix are playing a leading role in manufacturing phones in Pakistan.
Amongst the companies manufacturing phones in Pakistan, Q-mobile is the first local company, which has played a significant role in manufacturing phones. Founded in 2009, Q-mobile phones are assembled in Pakistan. The company imports basic parts from China and after assembling sells them under its brand name.
Due to PTA’s Mobile Device Manufacturing (MDM) Authorization regulatory regime whereby local manufacturing within the first year of regime introduction has resulted in the production of 12.27 Million phones in a short span of seven months.
According to PTA, the successful implementation of the Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) along with conducive government policies including the mobile manufacturing policy has created a favorable environment for mobile device manufacturing in Pakistan.
