- The government is preparing the electronics manufacturing policy, formally the Mobile and Electronics Devices Manufacturing Policy for 2026-2033.
- The aim is to go beyond assembly and produce phones, components and other electronics locally.
- The Engineering Development Board has been told to consult stakeholders while drafting it.
- Chinese firm Shenzhen Transsion Holdings has shown interest in expanding investment and localisation.
The government has begun work on a new electronics manufacturing policy to strengthen local mobile phone and electronics production. The goal is to position Pakistan as a competitive hub for electronics production and exports.
In this article
Prime Minister's Adviser on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan said the electronics manufacturing policy is meant to take the country past simple mobile phone assembly and build a strong electronics manufacturing industry.
What the electronics manufacturing policy is meant to do
Haroon Akhtar Khan disclosed that the government is preparing the Mobile and Electronics Devices Manufacturing Policy for 2026-2033. The draft is intended to widen local production beyond traditional assembly work.
It would encourage the domestic manufacture of mobile phones, components and other electronic products within the country. In practical terms, the electronics manufacturing policy is designed to move the sector beyond putting devices together and towards producing them at home.
According to the adviser, the policy will concentrate on technology transfer, deeper localisation and a stronger industrial production capacity for Pakistan.
Explained: why the electronics manufacturing policy goes beyond assembly
The government's own description separates two stages of the industry. The adviser spoke of simple mobile phone assembly as the starting point and a strong electronics manufacturing industry as the destination. The electronics manufacturing policy therefore focuses on three areas he named: technology transfer, deeper localisation and stronger industrial production capacity.
Localisation is the common thread. The draft aims to see mobile phones, components and other electronic products made within the country. The proposed policy reflects an effort to encourage local production of both components and finished products, rather than relying mainly on imported parts.
The policy period runs from 2026 to 2033. Over that period, the stated goal is to position Pakistan as a competitive hub for electronics production and exports, with the Mobile and Electronics Devices Manufacturing Policy as the vehicle.
How the electronics manufacturing policy would change local production
Under simple assembly, devices are put together in the country. The adviser's stated aim is to move towards a strong electronics manufacturing industry, in which mobile phones, components and other electronic products are made within Pakistan. The electronics manufacturing policy is the document meant to guide that shift.
Technology transfer, deeper localisation and stronger industrial production capacity are the three priorities the adviser named. He also linked closer cooperation with China in electronics manufacturing and technology transfer to local supply chains, fresh investment and better export potential.
Consultation on the electronics manufacturing policy through the EDB
The government has directed the Engineering Development Board (EDB) to consult relevant stakeholders as the policy is prepared. This means the electronics manufacturing policy is at the drafting stage, with stakeholder consultation built into the process.
The details available so far do not set out a timetable for the consultation or name the stakeholders to be approached.
The instruction applies to a policy that is meant to cover phones, components and other electronics. Views from relevant stakeholders are to be sought while the draft takes shape.
Shenzhen Transsion Holdings signals interest
Haroon Akhtar Khan shared these views during a meeting with a delegation from Shenzhen Transsion Holdings, a Chinese consumer electronics company. Discussions covered investment opportunities, local manufacturing of mobile phones and electronic devices, and ways to raise exports.
The Transsion delegation said it was interested in expanding its investment and local manufacturing operations in Pakistan. The company also expressed commitment to increasing localisation and looking at new opportunities in the country's mobile phone and electronics industry.
The adviser invited Chinese companies more broadly to invest in Pakistan. He assured them that the government would facilitate foreign investors and encourage industrial cooperation.
In short, the talks touched on investment, local manufacturing and exports. Those are the same themes the electronics manufacturing policy is intended to address.
Why Transsion's interest matters for the electronics manufacturing policy
The message from the Transsion delegation lines up with the goals of the electronics manufacturing policy. The company said it was interested in expanding investment and local manufacturing operations, and it expressed commitment to increasing localisation. Localisation is also the thread running through the draft policy.
The adviser, for his part, said the government would facilitate foreign investors and encourage industrial cooperation. He extended that invitation to Chinese companies more broadly, not only to the visiting firm.
Supply chains and export potential under the electronics manufacturing policy
Haroon Akhtar Khan said closer cooperation between Pakistan and China in electronics manufacturing and technology transfer could help build local supply chains. In his view, it could also bring in fresh investment and improve the country's export potential.
The proposed policy reflects an effort to develop the sector by encouraging local production of both components and finished products, rather than relying mainly on imported parts. If implemented effectively, it could open new industrial opportunities and strengthen Pakistan's standing in the regional electronics manufacturing market.
Put simply, the adviser links three possible outcomes to closer cooperation with China: local supply chains, fresh investment and better export potential. The electronics manufacturing policy is the framework through which the government hopes to pursue them.
Who is involved in the electronics manufacturing policy
Three parties appear in the account so far. The government is preparing the electronics manufacturing policy, with Haroon Akhtar Khan, the Prime Minister's Adviser on Industries and Production, outlining it. The Engineering Development Board has been directed to consult relevant stakeholders. Shenzhen Transsion Holdings, a Chinese consumer electronics company, met the adviser and expressed interest in expanding investment and local manufacturing.
Open questions on the electronics manufacturing policy
The details available so far do not give a timetable for consultation or name the stakeholders. They also do not say when the draft will be finalised. What is clear is that the policy covers the years 2026 to 2033 and that the draft is still being prepared.
Background: key facts on the policy
Here is a plain summary of what has been stated so far. The government is preparing the Mobile and Electronics Devices Manufacturing Policy for 2026-2033. The aim is to widen local production beyond traditional assembly. The Engineering Development Board is to consult relevant stakeholders. Shenzhen Transsion Holdings has said it is interested in expanding investment and local manufacturing in Pakistan.
Haroon Akhtar Khan, the Prime Minister's Adviser on Industries and Production, has invited Chinese companies more broadly to invest and has assured them that the government would facilitate foreign investors and encourage industrial cooperation. The electronics manufacturing policy sits at the centre of this outreach.
The Engineering Development Board has been directed to consult relevant stakeholders as the electronics manufacturing policy, titled the Mobile and Electronics Devices Manufacturing Policy for 2026-2033, is prepared.
Electronics manufacturing policy: questions and answers
What is the new policy about?
It is the Mobile and Electronics Devices Manufacturing Policy for 2026-2033, which aims to expand local production of mobile phones, components and other electronics beyond traditional assembly.
What is the aim of the electronics manufacturing policy?
The stated goal is to position Pakistan as a competitive hub for electronics production and exports, moving past simple mobile phone assembly towards a strong electronics manufacturing industry.
Which years does the policy cover?
The policy is titled for 2026-2033, so it covers the period from 2026 to 2033.
Who is preparing the policy?
The government is preparing it, and the Engineering Development Board has been directed to consult relevant stakeholders during the process.
Which company met the government on the issue?
A delegation from Chinese consumer electronics company Shenzhen Transsion Holdings met Haroon Akhtar Khan and expressed interest in expanding investment and local manufacturing in Pakistan.
Who outlined the plan?
Prime Minister's Adviser on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan outlined the plan during a meeting with the delegation from Shenzhen Transsion Holdings.
What will the policy focus on?
According to the adviser, it will concentrate on technology transfer, deeper localisation and a stronger industrial production capacity for Pakistan.
What did the Chinese company say?
The delegation said it was interested in expanding its investment and local manufacturing operations in Pakistan. It also expressed commitment to increasing localisation and looking at new opportunities in the mobile phone and electronics industry.
How could cooperation with China help?
The adviser said closer cooperation between Pakistan and China in electronics manufacturing and technology transfer could help build local supply chains, bring in fresh investment and improve the country's export potential.
What did the adviser promise foreign investors?
He assured Chinese companies, and foreign investors more broadly, that the government would facilitate them and encourage industrial cooperation.
Has the electronics manufacturing policy been finalised?
The government is still preparing it. The Engineering Development Board has been directed to consult relevant stakeholders as the draft is prepared.
Image: Raimond Spekking / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
