The Hostility Narrative
A disturbing pattern also emerged in responses. Some comments openly threatened that any Apple facility would be targeted by terrorism. Others used derogatory language suggesting Pakistan cannot even manufacture basic goods.
This rhetoric is not economic analysis. It is geopolitical hostility.
Pakistan today operates multiple global electronics assembly facilities for Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, and other brands. The country has built smartphone assembly capacity under earlier mobile manufacturing policies. While challenges exist — particularly energy reliability and supply chain depth — the claim that “no one can manufacture even a needle” is factually incorrect.
The more interesting reaction is psychological: why does the mere possibility of Pakistan entering higher-value electronics production trigger such aggression?
Because supply chains are power.
Economic Reality Check
There are legitimate concerns raised by critics inside Pakistan:
– Energy instability
– Skilled labor gaps
– Limited local component ecosystem
– Political uncertainty
These are real structural issues. However, policy frameworks exist precisely to address such barriers. Incentives, tax holidays, special economic zones, and export rebates are standard tools used globally to attract multinationals.
The government’s move appears to be an attempt to reposition Pakistan within the broader electronics value chain. Whether Apple accepts that invitation is a separate question.
But dismissing the effort as “truck ki batti” before evaluating policy substance reflects either ignorance or political bias.
