Good news for Mobile phone manufactures. The Government of Pakistan has finally decided to remove all the hindrances in local mobile manufacturing.

The State Bank of Pakistan has even granted the permission to open a mobile manufacturing LC in the state. The ban on the imports of parts for phones has also been removed. Mainly because of the continuous efforts from the Mobile Phone Importers and Manufacturers Association.

Now local mobile manufacturing establishments can easily start their operations in the State.

For the unversed, Pakistan has achieved a milestone in the year 2021 with locally produced mobile phones surpassing the imports for the first time. The statics show that from January to November of 2021, the country has made 22.12 million handsets. Whereas the imports stood at 9.95 million. The Statics are taken from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

Concerted Efforts By Mobile Phones Importers & Manufacturers Association (MPIMA):

The most important figure who has persuaded the government to lift the ban was Mr. Muzzaffar Piracha, Airlink CEO and Chairman of All Pakistan Mobile Importer and manufacturers association.

Mr. Muzaffar Paracha

Along with Mr. Paracha, Hamza Rasheed ( General Secretary of MPIMA) and Mr. Zeeshan Mian Noor also took to the stand. The group also had a meeting with the federal Finance Minister Miftah Ismail.

In that meeting, Mr. Ismail vowed to stand and fully support the local mobile manufacturer industry. Moreover, the minister also said that his government is quite serious regarding the growth of local mobile phone industry. However, he requested the association to focus on exports so that we can alleviate our trade deficit.

The Association meeting with Mr. Miftah Ismail

Paracha said that this industry should be given further support at the government level. By that more than 500,000 people across the country could be given jobs. Additionally, the import of mobile phones would be significantly reduced. He further added that a country like Vietnam exports 60 billion worth of phones every year. 

A letter was send to the Federal Minister for Information and Technology and finance by MPIMA. In which they demanded complete removal of obstacles in the way of the exports of mobile phones. The letter also states that 100% cash margin and the conditions of prior permission from SBP should also be abolished. Additionally, the government has been asked to issue an SRO for a new duty drawback scheme.

Resulting to which the Mobile manufacturers have stated that they will export 2.5 billion units in 2023 and 2024 if everything goes as planned.