PTI’s policies created employment opportunities in the telecom industry

As a result of the mobile policy adopted by the PTI government, 40 thousand jobs were created and Pakistan became self-sufficient in mobile production. After this policy, a historic decrease was also recorded in Pakistan’s mobile imports.

A briefing on the mobile policy was given in the meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Industry and Production, in which it was reported that the mobile policy was approved in 2019 and after that 37 companies were given the option of local production.

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40 thousand jobs have been created due to the increase in local production of mobiles and in 2024 the local production of mobiles has reached about 23 million units. In 2018, Pakistan was importing more than 1 crore 2 million mobile units, but in 2024, the import of mobiles has reduced to 1 crore 1 million units.

Under the mobile policy, Pakistan has built 4 crore 31 lakh 70 thousand mobile units and 7 crore 21 lakh mobile units have been produced locally. 11.52 million mobile units have been manufactured in Pakistan since 2019.

Besides, the committee was also briefed on solar policy, in which it was stated that SIFC had directed to formulate a solar policy in its fifth meeting. Several recommendations were proposed under the solar policy, including the exemption of duties on import of machinery for solar plants and the proposal to increase local solar production.

There was also a proposal to establish an international certification lab regarding solar, in this regard the ministry is sending a summary. FBR will include solar panels as tax exemption in the next finance bill. Senator Saleem Mandviwala asked why there was no policy on local generation of solar, CEO EDB explained that earlier solar imports were being worked on but there was no policy on local generation.

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On the question regarding making solar cells, the CEO of EDB said that it is not possible to make solar cells, but solar panels will be made. On this, Saleem Mandviwala asked the question whether four and a half thousand megawatts of solar power will be included in the system? Chairman Committee Aoun Abbas Pabi inquired whether there is any plan to buy solar from consumers at a price of 9 rupees per unit. CEO Engineering Development Board replied that Power Division officials can explain better in this regard.

Similarly, the electric vehicle policy was also discussed in the committee. Officials said while briefing the committee that the electric vehicle policy has been drafted and circulated but has not yet been approved. Charging stations will be installed at all petrol pumps in Islamabad and 40 locations have been identified for charging stations on motorways.

Charging stations have been installed on both sides of the Bheera Interchange and 3,000 charging stations for electric vehicles will be installed across the country. Oil companies will have to install charging stations at all petrol pumps, and charging stations will also be installed in parking lots and lots. Electricity prices at charging stations will be decided by Nepra. At present, the country has the capacity to produce 25 lakh electric bikes annually.

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An interesting situation took place in the meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Industry and Production when the chairman of the committee, Aun Abbas, said that there should be an example to attract people to electric bikes. He further said that give an electric bike to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, he will set an example, Shehbaz Sharif will also drive the electric bike and also raise the sounds of Oooo Oooo, on which everyone present in the meeting laughed.