Pakistan’s Mobile Manufacturing Surges: A Shift towards Technological Self-Reliance
The year 2023 marked a pivotal moment for Pakistan’s mobile industry, with the latest data from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) revealing the impressive production of 21.28 million mobile sets. Concurrently, the country imported 1.58 million mobile phones during the same period.
A comprehensive analysis of the data underscores the strength of Pakistan’s domestic mobile industry, as approximately 93.1% of the phones were locally manufactured or assembled. This reflects a strategic and balanced market approach, reducing dependence on imports and contributing positively to foreign reserves.
According to PTA’s breakdown, 13 million locally produced phones belonged to the Second Generation Mobile (2G) category, commonly known as GSM phones, while 8.28 million were smartphones. This diversification reflects a market catering to various consumer needs, promoting inclusivity and accessibility.
Within the spectrum of devices operating on the Pakistani network, 59.0% comprised 2G (GSM) phones, with smartphones accounting for the remaining 41.0%.
Chinese companies maintained their dominance as the top manufacturers or assemblers of mobile phones in Pakistan during 2023. Leading the chart was China VGO Tel, contributing 2.73 million phone sets, closely followed by China’s Infinix with 2.62 million mobile phones. Other noteworthy contributors included iTel (2.56 million), X Mobile (1.52 million), TECNO (1.45 million), and Redmi (1.31 million), illustrating the substantial presence of Chinese brands in meeting consumer demands.
Additionally, smaller players such as CALME, E-Tachi, ViVvo, and Cub Mobile individually contributed significantly to the mobile phone industry. CALME manufactured 1.07 million phones, E-Tachi produced 0.94 million phones, ViVvo assembled 0.83 million phones, and Cub Mobile contributed 0.64 million phones to the market, showcasing a diverse and competitive landscape.
The success of the local mobile industry aligns with a thriving telecom sector, generating an impressive Rs850 billion in revenues in FY 2022-23, reflecting a robust 17% growth despite economic challenges. The availability of cellular mobile services to 90% of Pakistan’s population, coupled with 192 million telecom subscribers and 130 million broadband subscribers, highlights the sector’s pivotal role in the nation’s digital landscape.
As Pakistan continues its journey towards technological self-reliance, the synergy between local manufacturing and Chinese expertise propels the mobile industry to new heights, fostering economic growth and innovation.
