Apple Moves Closer to Pakistan Entry After Appointing Govt Affairs Head

Apple has appointed Salman Dar as its head of government affairs for Pakistan, solidifying the tech giant's ties with Pakistani regulators, policymakers, and other crucial stakeholders as the nation strives to welcome the company into the local market. In a LinkedIn post, Dar announced his new role, expressing his commitment to leading Apple's government affairs operations in Pakistan and facilitating the company's interaction with regulatory bodies, policymakers, and stakeholders.

The appointment follows the government's efforts to entice major global technology firms to set up device manufacturing and assembly operations in Pakistan, aiming to enhance the regulatory environment and tackle investment hurdles. Recently, the Engineering Development Board's CEO stated at a National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology meeting that 37 companies are currently manufacturing mobile phones in Pakistan, producing over 35 million devices.

He emphasized that Apple remains the sole major company yet to manufacture phones locally and that ongoing initiatives are being pursued to bring the company to Pakistan. The EDB chief also mentioned that the prime minister is anticipated to meet Apple's CEO during a visit to the United States.