ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Mobile Phone Manufacturers Association (PMPMA) has raised concerns over the sale of smuggled, stolen and counterfeit mobile phones, warning that illegal practices are affecting the local manufacturing industry.
In a letter to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the association said IMEI numbers from legally imported devices are being copied and used on unauthorised or counterfeit phones. It stated that cloned IMEIs are being assigned to illegally imported or stolen devices, allowing them to appear as duty-paid and legitimate in the market.
The association said such practices enable unauthorised imports to bypass regulatory procedures and avoid payment of applicable duties, increasing the presence of undocumented devices in the market.
PMPMA, which represents 33 local and international mobile manufacturers operating in Pakistan, has called on the PTA to introduce a more effective and technologically advanced IMEI tracking and verification system to address the issue.
The association said Pakistan’s mobile manufacturing sector has expanded, with 31.79 million mobile phones sold up to March 2026. Of these, over 30.86 million units were locally assembled, indicating the sector’s capacity for value addition and growth.
It warned that the continued presence of illegal devices and IMEI cloning is affecting investor confidence and could limit further investment in the local manufacturing ecosystem.
In a separate communication to the Ministry of Industries and Production, PMPMA raised concerns over proposals to allow commercial imports of used and refurbished mobile phones. It said such a move could negatively affect the local assembly industry and reduce investment in the sector.
The association stated that the local mobile manufacturing industry generates over 40,000 direct jobs and contributes to the national exchequer through various taxes, including sales tax, income tax and payroll-related levies, while operating within the documented economy.
In contrast, it said the used phone trade remains largely undocumented and contributes less to national revenue. It also warned that allowing imports of used devices could create enforcement, consumer protection and security challenges.
PMPMA said policy measures should prioritise protection of domestic manufacturing and documented economic activity. It added that permitting large-scale imports of used mobile phones could expand the grey market and undermine the formal sector.
