Pakistan now fulfills 98% of mobile phone demand through local manufacturing

With 17.34 million mobile phones manufactured in Pakistan in the first half of fiscal year 2023-2024, the country is now fulfilling 98% of its demand via local manufacturing, it has emerged.

For the last five years — FY19-FY23 — local manufacturing had fulfilled 67% of the demand on average.

Data shared by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) showed that local manufacturing surged 300% compared to the first half of FY23 when 6.07 million phones were manufactured.

Of the over 17 million units manufactured in the first half of FY24, 64% were smartphones while the rest were 2G phones.

All mobile phone brands except iPhone are now being manufactured or assembled in Pakistan.

Separately, local manufacturing doubled in June with 4.26 million units produced, compared to May. This was because of an increase in pre-buying ahead of the imposition of 18% sales tax on all mobile phones.