ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is locally producing up to 93 percent of the mobile phones and a total 36 local mobile assembling units are operating in the country.
This was stated by the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Engineering Development Board (EDB), here on Thursday, while briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Industries and Production held under the chairmanship of Senator Aon Abbas.
The panel was informed that the localisation of the mobile phone industries has resulted in the creation of some 40,000-50,000 direct jobs. The panel was informed that almost all big brands are working in the country.
During a comprehensive briefing on the Solar Policy by the EBD, Senator Abbas raised critical questions. Abbas questioned the EDB about the control of the prices of solar panels and why there is a disruption between the demand and supply. He remarked that individuals are installing solar panels at their discretion without proper regulation.
He also inquired whether there were any hindrances from the government or undue pressure from independent power producers (IPPs). The ministry clarified the position that the government is willing to promote solarisation in the country.
While discussing the Electric Vehicle Policy (EV), Abbas proposed the installation of electric chargers at every station to promote eco-friendly practices. The director of the EDB assured the committee that these chargers would be accessible to everyone.
The CEO EDB emphasised that their primary focus remains on localisation, with exports being a secondary priority. However, he expressed concern about competing with China, a global leader in the sector, noting that local production is currently eight per cent more expensive than China’s. He further pointed out that the previous policy had provisions for R&D funding, but these funds were never disbursed, resulting in limited industrial growth and innovation.
The committee emphasised that the issue of taxes on solar panels manufacturing in the country would be raised in the Senate session, expressing confidence that the government would eliminate taxes on local solar panel manufacturing and impose duties on import of solar panels to support the local industry. Moreover, the panel announced the formation of a subcommittee to examine polices made by the EDB under the converner-ship of Senator Saifullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee. Other members include senators Saleem Mandviwalla and Danesh Kumar.
Discussing the sugar policy, the committee members urged the chairman committee to have a separate meeting on the subject, so that all the matters pertaining to sugar industry and farmers could be amicably discussed and workable recommendations could be forwarded to the government to resolve the issues.
The chairman committee, responding to the point raised by the committee members, said that in the next meeting of the committee it would be thoroughly reviewed in the next meeting to determine whether it falls under the committee’s jurisdiction. He expressed concern over sugarcane farmers in Pakistan not receiving timely payments, noting that while a 7-day cut-off period had been established, payments have been withheld for over a month and a half. He directed the submission of detailed information regarding the sugar mills, including the names of their owners.
In attendance were senators, Saifullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee, Mir Dostain Khan Domki, Syed Masroor Ahsan, Saleem Mandviwalla, Danesh Kumar, the additional secretary of the Ministry of Industries and Production, and senior officials from the EDB.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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