The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has reported a significant surge in local mobile handset manufacturing, with local plants assembling 2.35 million mobile devices in February 2023.
This marks a substantial increase compared to the 0.19 million units that were commercially imported during the same period. The data underscores the growing momentum of the domestic manufacturing sector in meeting the country’s mobile device demands.
In the year 2022, local manufacturing plants exhibited robust performance by assembling 21.94 million mobile handsets, outpacing the 1.53 million devices that were commercially imported. The trend showcases a clear preference for domestically produced mobile phones, reflecting the resilience and competitiveness of the local manufacturing industry.
Breaking down the figures for February 2023, the PTA data reveals that out of the 2.35 million mobile phones assembled, a substantial 1.87 million were categorized as 2G phones, while 0.48 million were smartphones. This distribution highlights the continued demand for both traditional 2G phones and more advanced smartphone models in the Pakistani market.
An interesting revelation from the PTA data is that 57 percent of mobile devices in Pakistan are smartphones, while 43 percent belong to the 2G category. This emphasizes the increasing adoption of smartphones among the Pakistani population, reflecting the growing connectivity and technological evolution in the country.
In a notable contrast, the import of mobile phones to Pakistan witnessed a sharp decline, plummeting by 68.29 percent to $447.855 million in the first eight months (July-January) of the fiscal year 2022-23. This is a significant drop from the $1.412 billion recorded during the same period in the previous year. The trend suggests a shift in consumer preferences towards locally manufactured devices.
Further scrutinizing the data for February 2023, mobile phone imports registered a negative growth of 36.39 percent MoM (Month over Month) and a substantial 76.73 percent YoY (Year over Year) decline, standing at $33.054 million. This emphasizes the diminishing reliance on imported mobile phones and a growing inclination towards locally produced alternatives.
In parallel, the overall telecom imports to Pakistan during the same period experienced a negative growth of 62.08 percent, totaling $708.798 million compared to $1.869 billion in the previous year. Additionally, other apparatus imports amounted to $260.944 million in July-February 2022-23, showing a negative growth of 42.90 percent compared to the same period in the previous year.
For February 2023, other apparatus imports exhibited a negative growth of 57.95 percent YoY, totaling $31.687 million. However, there was a 20.13 percent growth MoM, standing at $26.377 million in January 2023.
The comprehensive data from the PTA indicates a paradigm shift in the Pakistani mobile phone market, with local manufacturing gaining prominence while the demand for imported devices dwindles. This trend aligns with the broader goal of promoting self-reliance, boosting the local economy, and fostering technological advancements within the country.
