Based on data from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Pakistan’s mobile assembly and manufacturing companies manufactured 13.8 million phones in the first five months of 2024. Of these, 4.98 million were 2G phones, more basic phones with fewer features, and 8.1 million were smartphones.
Infinix led the production with 1.46 million units produced. Other businesses that manufactured a sizable number of phones, such as Itel and VGO TEL, followed.
The industry has encountered difficulties despite high production numbers. Since 2022, rising interest rates and economic challenges have led to a decrease in manufacturing. Furthermore, due to import limitations, fewer phones are being imported for commercial use. Just 1.58 million phones were brought into Pakistan commercially in 2023.
These developments underscore the inconclusive status of the Pakistani mobile phone business. Despite the significant local manufacturing, the industry faces legal and financial obstacles.
