KARACHI: Pakistan plans to expand local manufacturing of mobile phones and electronic devices to strengthen its industrial base and create employment, a senior official said on Tuesday, as authorities reviewed progress on a proposed mobile and electronics manufacturing policy.

The push is part of the government’s effort to move the mobile sector away from reliance on imported finished devices toward phased localization of manufacturing, with officials aiming to encourage higher-value production and reduce dependence on imports over time.

“The primary objective of the policy is to create employment opportunities at the local level and to strengthen Pakistan’s industrial base,” said Haroon Akhtar Khan, special assistant to the prime minister, while chairing a meeting on the Mobile and Electronics Device Manufacturing Policy, according to an official statement.

“Phased localization will be adopted to encourage foreign investment in high-tech manufacturing, ensuring sustainable industrial growth,” he added.

Under the proposed framework, the government plans to prioritize local manufacturing of key components, including motherboards, printed circuit boards, electronic parts and display components.

Khan said the policy would introduce strict compliance mechanisms, warning that incentives would be withdrawn and penalties imposed in cases of violations related to localization targets, reporting requirements or operational obligations.

Import licenses could also be suspended in cases of non-compliance, the statement said.

Representatives of mobile phone manufacturers attending the meeting said global brands such as Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo and Nokia could be potential candidates for investment under the policy framework, while noting that growth in the mobile sector could have spillover effects for other electronics industries.

Manufacturers also stressed the need for government-backed testing and certification laboratories to ensure export-quality standards, a proposal officials said would be reviewed as part of the policy process.