ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s local mobile phone industry has witnessed a significant growth, producing an impressive 84.4 million mobile devices over the past five years.
According to the annual report released by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), this expansion has not only bolstered the nation’s economy but has also resulted in the creation of thousands of jobs.
The report highlights that between January 2019 and September 2023, a staggering 25 million smartphones were included in the total production, underscoring the industry’s embrace of modern technology. Thirty-three local and foreign companies, responding to the Mobile Device Manufacturing (MDM) Regulations introduced in 2021, established manufacturing plants within Pakistan, contributing to the sector’s robust growth.
Operating as standalone entities and through joint ventures, these companies secured a 10-year MDM authorization, indicative of a long-term commitment to Pakistan’s mobile manufacturing sector. In a move towards global market penetration, Pakistan initiated the export of locally manufactured handsets, with 120,000 SEEGO brand mobiles proudly labeled as ‘Manufactured in Pakistan’ finding their way to the African market in December 2022.
Growth of Pakistan’s Mobile Phone Industry
The introduction of the Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) by the PTA played a pivotal role in providing a level playing field for foreign investments in Pakistan’s mobile device manufacturing industry.
Moreover, DIRBS has proven to be a revenue-generating tool for the government, collecting an impressive Rs 48.8 billion in Customs duties within the individual category from January 15, 2019, to October 25, 2023 – a financial stream that remained largely untapped before the implementation of DIRBS.
Notably, DIRBS has not only ensured compliance but has also been instrumental in addressing security concerns. The system has successfully blocked 758,113 International Mobile Equipment Identities (IMEIs) reported as stolen. In addition, DIRBS has identified and blocked 35.5 million non-compliant IMEIs, including 7.3 million duplicate or cloned numbers.
