In the last five years, local companies in Pakistan have manufactured a remarkable 84.4 million mobile devices, showcasing significant growth in the industry and generating thousands of jobs. According to the annual report of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), 25 million of these devices were smartphones produced from January 2019 to September 2023.
The report highlights that 33 local and foreign companies established manufacturing plants in Pakistan under the Mobile Device Manufacturing (MDM) Regulations introduced in 2021. These companies, operating independently or through joint ventures, received a 10-year MDM authorization. The country has also ventured into exporting locally manufactured handsets, with 120,000 SEEGO brand mobiles labeled as ‘Manufactured in Pakistan’ exported to the African market in December 2022.
The introduction of the Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) by the PTA has played a crucial role in creating a fair environment for foreign investments in Pakistan’s mobile device manufacturing industry. In addition to promoting local manufacturing, DIRBS has become a source of revenue for the government, collecting Rs 48.8 billion in Customs duties in the individual category from January 15, 2019, to October 25, 2023—an income stream that was previously untapped.
Utilizing DIRBS, the PTA has blocked 758,113 International Mobile Equipment Identities (IMEIs) reported as stolen. The system has also identified and blocked 35.5 million non-compliant IMEIs, including 7.3 million duplicate or cloned IMEI numbers. This comprehensive approach has not only bolstered the local industry but also contributed to revenue generation and enhanced security measures in the
