ISLAMABAD: With the 5G spectrum public sale scheduled for March 10, the Ministry of Industries has additionally initiated the transfer to roll out superior suitable telephone gadgets on the identical time that telecom operators are prepared.
Because of the spectrum public sale throughout a number of bands, the 4G protection space within the nation will broaden, growing the service space, however this may even push demand for smartphones.
The Ministry of Industries and Manufacturing has finalized the Cell and Digital Units Manufacturing Coverage 2026-33 at a gathering chaired by Particular Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan.
Mr. Khan mentioned that the coverage is a milestone initiative and, beginning with cellphones, will finally assist the nation’s industrial sector, as electronics have dominated all spheres.
Govt finalises coverage as spectrum public sale looms
The business has welcomed the brand new coverage, noting that with contemporary spectrum scheduled for subsequent month, demand for brand spanking new and extra superior telephones, together with 5G-compatible units, will improve.
“The brand new coverage comes on the proper time because the telcos will take round 5-6 months after acquiring the spectrum to implement the infrastructure for introducing 5G companies in key city areas and 4G in different cities and cities,” mentioned Amir Allawala, senior member of the Pakistan Cell Telephone Producers Affiliation.
“The cell phone business additionally wants across the identical time to shift to 5G units, and plenty of firms making function telephones are already within the means of shifting their manufacturing traces to smartphones,” he added.
The important thing function of the coverage is 8 p.c incentives on cell phone exports, in addition to a discount in customs duties on the import of elements, whereas the import of CBUs of cellphones and equipment similar to chargers, hands-free, and so on., may have increased duties.
The coverage will probably be forwarded to the prime minister for approval. The assembly famous that there have been 37 licensed cellular set producers, producing 40 million cellular models yearly.
Pakistan assembled 30.2m telephone units in 2025, and round 40pc have been function telephones. On the identical time, the utmost native consumption of telephones might attain 40m units each year; subsequently, export incentives have been important to spice up the business.
The coverage additionally recommends establishing a devoted Cell & Electronics Units Cell throughout the EDB to make sure efficient implementation and coordination.
Revealed in Daybreak, February twenty second, 2026
