Mobile phone usage has reached previously unheard heights in every part of the globe, including Pakistan. Pakistan was formerly one of the largest importers of cell phones, but that is no longer the case. Several smartphone manufacturers have established local assembly plants in the nation. As a result, the country’s mobile phone imports have decreased. In this sense, Chinese mobile phone manufacturers have played an important role in supporting Pakistan in reducing its mobile imports.
Local Mobile Production Exceeds Imports of Mobile Phones
As a result, for the first time in the country’s history, local assembly production of mobile phones outpaced imports of cell phones, according to a study.
Official Data on Mobile Manufacturing and Import: According to official data, between January and November 2021, the manufacturing of mobile phones by local assemblies stood at 22.12 million, while total mobile phone imports stayed at 9.95 million. In 2020, the number of locally manufactured mobile phones stood at 13.05 million, compared to 24.51 million imports.
During the first 11 months of 2021, local assemblies produced 9.03 million smartphones and a total of 13.09 million mobile phones. Similarly, in 2020, the number of locally manufactured 2G phones stood at 10.98 million, compared to 2.06 smartphones.
The national telecom regulator PTA reports that there are 48 million mobile 2G customers and 52 million smartphone users.
Top Pakistani Local Assemblies:
Among the well-known Chinese smartphone brands that have established local assembly plants in Pakistan are:
- Itel
- VGO TEL
- Infinix
- Vivo
- Tecno
- QQMEE
- Oppo
According to experts, by 2022, more than 90% of cellphones sold in the country would be ‘Made in Pakistan,’ and the country will quickly become one of the major exporters of cellphones.
