Pakistan’s cellphone industry: A prospective $15 billion exporter or another automotive-style catastrophe

If not India’s success, recent domestic disruptions should force reflection upon what we want the sector to be and, more importantly, what it should not be

Apple CEO Tim Cook paid a visit next door this April, to cut the ribbon in Mumbai and New Delhi as India welcomed its first Apple stores with exultation and sanguinity. The air was redolent with the sound of animated chatter as the event marked the evolution of Apple’s involvement in India. A new chapter in a relationship dating back to 2017 when India enticed Apple to outsource iPhone manufacturing. A relationship that has even led to Apple rivalling arch-rival Samsung in adopting India’s PLI’s scheme to net the country over $9 billion in phone exports this fiscal year alone. 

We observed with bated breath and a twinge of envy as our rival made these strides. How did India manage to pull this off? How did it convince the world’s most valuable company to invest? These were just some of the many questions that ran through our minds as we witnessed the spectacle. 

Our mobile industry, in contrast to its Indian counterpart, currently stares into the abyss. A paucity of raw materials and components has debilitated the industry, and its inability to open letters of credit portends a complete shutdown.

As Cook left India with a note expressing his eagerness to return, it was clear that India had made a lasting impression. For us looking on with envy, this only added insult to injury. The contrast couldn’t be more pronounced. It was hard not to imagine what it would be like if these stores had opened under the guise of Lahore’s minarets and not Delhi’s, or peppered with the briny zephyr of Karachi and not Mumbai.

How did we let another opportunity slip through our fingers? Does April’s situation offer a chance for reflection on our capabilities and limitations? In this momentary lapse in mobile manufacturing, we can ask: Should we expect Tim Cook on our shores anytime soon or will we repeat history by supporting an inferior industry?

 

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Daniyal Ahmad
Daniyal Ahmad
The author is a member of the staff, and covers the automobile, energy and advertising insdusties as a sector analyst. He can be reached at [email protected]

20 COMMENTS

  1. Sir, you did not cover the aspect that the Pakistani govt has for years driven foreigners away. Take any sector (oil and gas: ENI, OMV, Exxon…pharma : Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck, Pfizer… Banking: ABN Amro / RBS, Barclays, HSBC…. Other sectors AIG, Commercial Union / Aviva, Temasek, Virgin Atlantic,
    Etc). How would they attract Apple or Microsoft or anyone else?

  2. InshaAllah it will be a huge success. technology, it and service industry can bail out pakistan and we have a vibrant youth familiar with these things.

  3. Pakistan’s cellphone industry holds immense potential, poised to become a remarkable $15 billion exporter. With the right strategies and investments, it has the power to shape a thriving technological landscape and create countless job opportunities. Let’s support its growth and turn this opportunity into a shining success story for Pakistan.

  4. I cannot thank you enough for the impact your writing has had on my personal and professional growth. Your articles have been instrumental in shaping my perspective and enhancing my skills.

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  8. Market Size: Pakistan has a vast mobile phone market, with millions of subscribers. The penetration rate of mobile phones is quite high, and it continues to grow as more people gain access to affordable devices and affordable data plans.

  9. Pakistan is one of the biggest market of Mobile Phone who import from another countries. At this time in Pakistan people interested to buy Samsung and iPhone mobiles which are highly expensive. Basic purpose of android mobile is to produce best quality content. Because Youtube and tiktok start monetization in Pakistan so that its demand going increasing day by day. On the other hand, people are using big size app for video editing that just run in Samsung and iPhone models.

  10. Fantastic piece! The details you’ve provided in this article are not only enlightening but also skillfully presented. It’s clear that you’ve dedicated considerable thought and effort to craft this post.

  11. Great article! I found the information you shared here to be both insightful and well-presented. It’s evident that you’ve put a lot of thought and effort into this post.

  12. A good point was raised in the article: Over USD 14 billion worth of imports required to export USD 15 billion worth of resulting goods. Doesn’t sound clever.

  13. Apple CEO Tim Cook paid a visit next door this April, to cut the ribbon in Mumbai and New Delhi as India welcomed its first Apple stores with exultation and sanguinity. 5566 Rashan Program. The air was redolent with the sound of animated chatter as the event marked the evolution of Apple’s involvement in India. A new chapter in a relationship dating back to 2017 when India enticed Apple to outsource iPhone manufacturing. A relationship that has even led to Apple rivalling arch-rival Samsung in adopting India’s PLI’s scheme to net the country over $9 billion in phone exports this fiscal year alone.

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