Pakistan: Mobile manufacturers shut shop, thousands of jobs at risk

islamabadNearly all of Pakistan’s 30 mobile phone assembly units have shut down, three of them operated by foreign brands, as manufacturers say they have run out of raw materials due to import restrictions, putting the future of nearly 20,000 workers at stake. It has taken place, media reports said on Sunday.

Most of the companies have given leave to the employees by giving them half salary advance for April. As per reports in Dawn, he has been told that he will be called back as soon as the production starts.

A mobile phone maker expressed grief over sending employees home during Ramzan.

“My family has three mobile production units, and all are closed,” he said and blamed the “inefficient and illogical policies” of the finance ministry.

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He was referring to government policies that make it difficult for an importer to obtain a letter of credit (LC) – a document from a bank that guarantees that the buyer’s payment to the seller is timely and for the correct amount. will receive. According to the Dawn report, this has stopped the import of key components and components used in mobile phone manufacturing.

The Pakistan Mobile Phone Manufacturers Association (PMPMA) in a recent letter informed the IT Ministry that local mobile supplies have almost stopped and markets are also facing shortage of mobile phones.

The letter written by Haji Abdul Rehman, president of the association, highlighted that the situation was equally troubling for consumers, who have to pay a higher price for locally manufactured mobile sets.

Rahman told Dawn that the cost of low-cost imported phones and locally assembled units is coming close, which he said would ultimately hurt the sale of local sets.