In the face of challenging economic conditions, Pakistan’s mobile industry has defied the odds, demonstrating robust resilience and a remarkable growth trajectory. According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s (PTA) annual report spanning from January 2019 to September 2023, the industry showcased a noteworthy production figure of 84.4 million mobile devices. What stands out is the contribution of local companies, manufacturing an impressive 25 million smartphones within the last five years, underscoring a significant local industry presence.
This success is attributed, in part, to the facilitative environment created by the Mobile Device Manufacturing (MDM) Regulations introduced in 2021. These regulations spurred the establishment of 33 manufacturing plants, jointly operated by both local and foreign companies. The culmination of these efforts led to a pivotal moment in December 2022 when Pakistan initiated the export of 120,000 SEEGO brand mobiles, proudly labeled as “Manufactured in Pakistan,” marking a substantial stride in entering the global market.
A key enabler in promoting local manufacturing and safeguarding the market is the Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS), introduced by the PTA. This system has played a crucial role in revenue generation for the government while addressing critical issues such as stolen and non-compliant International Mobile Equipment Identities (IMEIs). To date, DIRBS has successfully blocked 758,113 IMEIs reported as stolen, preventing illicit activities, and identified and blocked 35.5 million non-compliant IMEIs, including 7.3 million duplicate or cloned numbers.
Despite economic challenges, these developments underscore the mobile industry’s resilience and positive trajectory in Pakistan. The convergence of regulatory support, local and international investment, and strategic initiatives like DIRBS has not only stimulated domestic production but has also positioned Pakistan as a competitive player in the global mobile market.
