Pakistan Break The Record || Pakistan's Mobile Handset Industry: 20.44 Million Units Manufactured Locally in 2024

Pakistan's Mobile Handset Industry: 20.44 Million Units Manufactured Locally in 2024 

In recent years, Pakistan's mobile handset manufacturing and assembly industry has witnessed significant growth. The production of mobile phones domestically is not only aimed at fulfilling local demand but also at reducing the country’s dependency on imported handsets. According to the latest data, 20.44 million mobile handsets were manufactured/assembled in Pakistan during the first eight months of 2024 (January-August). In stark contrast, only 1.1 million handsets were imported commercially during the same period. This highlights the growing capacity of local production, which continues to dominate the market.

In August 2024 alone, local manufacturers/assemblers produced 1.49 million mobile phones, while imports lagged behind at just 0.1 million units. Of the 20.44 million locally produced devices, 7.71 million were 2G feature phones, and 12.73 million were smartphones, indicating a substantial demand for advanced mobile technology in the country.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has revealed that currently, 62 percent of mobile devices connected to the Pakistani network are smartphones, with the remaining 38 percent being 2G devices. This shift towards smartphones aligns with global trends, where users prefer devices with internet capabilities and smart functionalities.

Additionally, Pakistan’s mobile phone imports have seen a decline. During the first two months (July-August) of the fiscal year 2024-25, the country imported mobile phones worth $143.889 million. This marks a 19.82 percent decrease compared to the $179.453 million spent during the same period in fiscal year 2023-24. In rupee terms, mobile handset imports were valued at Rs. 40.069 billion in the first two months of FY 2024-25, showing a decline of 22.73 percent compared to Rs. 51.853 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal year.

This significant drop in imports can be attributed to several factors, including the push for local manufacturing, government incentives, and policies aimed at fostering domestic production. Moreover, the PTA has played a key role in streamlining the mobile device production and registration process, making it easier for manufacturers to enter the market.

Industry experts suggest that continued investment in local manufacturing and favorable government policies could position Pakistan as a potential hub for mobile phone production in the region.