ISLAMABAD – 22 February 2026: With Pakistan’s 5G spectrum auction scheduled for March 10, the government has moved to align device availability with the upcoming rollout of next-generation telecom services.
The Ministry of Industries and Production has finalised the Mobile and Electronic Devices Manufacturing Policy 2026–33, aiming to ensure that 5G-compatible smartphones are available as operators begin deploying infrastructure.
The policy was approved at a meeting chaired by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan, who described it as a milestone initiative that will strengthen Pakistan’s broader industrial ecosystem, starting with mobile manufacturing.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the move, noting that telecom operators are expected to take five to six months after spectrum acquisition to deploy 5G services in key urban centres and expand 4G coverage elsewhere.
Amir Allawala, a senior member of the Pakistan Mobile Phone Manufacturers Association, said the policy is timely, as manufacturers will need a similar timeframe to transition production lines toward 5G-compatible smartphones. He added that several companies currently producing feature phones are already shifting toward smartphone manufacturing.
Under the new policy, exporters of mobile phones will receive an 8% incentive, while customs duties on imported parts will be reduced to support local assembly. At the same time, higher duties will apply to the import of completely built units (CBUs) and accessories such as chargers and hands-free devices, encouraging domestic production.
The policy will now be forwarded to the prime minister for final approval.
Currently, 37 licensed manufacturers operate in Pakistan, producing approximately 40 million mobile units annually. In 2025, 30.2 million phones were assembled locally, with around 40% comprising feature phones. With domestic demand potentially reaching 40 million units per year, export incentives are viewed as critical to expanding the industry’s capacity and global competitiveness.
The policy also proposes the establishment of a dedicated Mobile & Electronics Devices Cell within the Engineering Development Board (EDB) to ensure effective implementation and coordination.
