Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked 826,000 stolen mobile phones reported through the Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) and identified over 55 million fake or replica phones that have also been blocked from accessing local networks. This step is part of ongoing efforts to eliminate unauthorized and low-quality mobile devices from Pakistan’s telecom ecosystem and improve consumer safety.
Since the launch of DIRBS and the acceleration of local manufacturing initiatives, a total of 136 million mobile devices have been manufactured or assembled in Pakistan from 2019 to 2025. Of these, 37% are smartphones, indicating a shift toward higher-end mobile adoption across the country. The sector has seen consistent year-on-year growth, beginning with 11.74 million locally assembled units in 2019. That figure increased to 13.05 million in 2020, showing an 11% rise. In 2021, production surged by 89% to 24.66 million units. Although there was a slight decline in 2022 and 2023, with 21.94 million and 21.28 million devices produced respectively, the trend rebounded strongly in 2024 with 31.38 million units manufactured, representing a 47% increase from the previous year. During the first five months of 2025 alone, 12.05 million mobile handsets have already been produced.
The growth in local assembly has significantly reduced Pakistan’s reliance on imported devices. Commercial imports fell from 16.28 million units in 2019 to just 0.76 million in the first five months of 2025. This shift has helped conserve foreign exchange reserves and fostered a domestic production ecosystem. PTA reports show that more than 94% of the national mobile phone demand is now met through local manufacturing facilities.
The development of this domestic manufacturing base has also had a broader economic impact. A total of 36 mobile device manufacturing facilities have been established across the country, creating employment opportunities for approximately 60,000 people. Additionally, the Government of Pakistan has collected Rs. 83.04 billion under the individual import category between January 2019 and June 2025.
In 2024, Mobile Device Manufacturers (MDMs) accounted for 59% of the total smartphone production in Pakistan. This reflects an increase in industry participation and confidence in the local supply chain and production infrastructure. The trend supports wider digital access, promotes economic activity, and contributes to national goals around import substitution and digital empowerment.
PTA continues to work with stakeholders to enhance regulatory oversight and improve the mobile device ecosystem through measures such as DIRBS and enforcement of quality standards. These actions aim to support both consumer interests and the local telecom manufacturing landscape, as the industry matures and evolves with increased participation from global and local players.
