Technology

PTA bans sale of China's Xiaomi smartphones in Pakistan

Company says it hasn't received a 'rational statement' so far regarding ban

News Desk August 03, 2016

PHOTO: XIAOMI

Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi on Wednesday said Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has barred the sale and marketing of all Mi devices in the country.

"The PTA has demanded that XiaomiPK.com has to stop the sale/marketing of all Mi mobile devices... We want our customers and people around the country to understand the monopoly of some brands in the market," the company said in a statement. However, the company did not say which monopoly it was referring to.

Xiaomi enters laptop market with $750 MacBook Air clone

"We believe that the Pakistani market deserves to have fair competition but these events make us ponder that some competitors believe in grabbing the market through influence instead of competing on the basis of quality and service."

We have great respect for the authorities at the PTA, and we believe their intentions are good. But it is quite surprising that Pakistani customer’s right has been denied without any reason. if they have any legitimate concern we are ready to address it but so far we haven't got any rational reason, the statement added.

According to International Data Corporation (IDC), in October 2014 Xiaomi was the third largest smartphone maker in the world, following Samsung and Apple Inc.

COMMENTS (24)

Husnain Ahmad | 1 year ago | Reply It seems like XIAOMI has not gifted the expensive phones to their management on regular basis as a bribery that s why they have banned this. It is necesaary to feed government officer to stay in market.

Shakil Ahmed | 8 years ago | Reply this makes me wonder, PTA is telecom regulator, that regulates telco companies! Now if they wish to regulate phones being used by consumers, they will have to come up with solid reasons. First they can hardly ban any cell phones anyway. If PTA wish to regulate phones, they can only advise consumers that its not safe or else, they simply cant enforce it.

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

Rao | 8 years ago | Reply @Haseeb Khan: Apple and Samsung have some of the best products in N. America , but they keep prices tightly controlled. So, I wonder Chinese are better in pricing? How about its quality?

Haseeb Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Are IPhones legally imported as per PTA laws?

Abbas Raza | 8 years ago | Reply First of All PTA staff should be ashamed of themselves they are the very reason of Pakistan still being years behind while India gets everything ,This called bull crap PTA is the very reason that likes of Vodaphone and T-Mobile aren't in Pakistan and while most of countries had 3g PTA being a money grabbing c*nts was trying to auction it to paying carriers.That is the same case here PTA wants money and Xiaomi didn't pay so lets Ban the sales of Xiaomi phones in Pakistan,These Authorities should be the ones providing their Nation yet they act as selfish as they can ,I lived in China for Past 6 years ,I am so much disappointed in Pakistan a country with a great Potential and Power is victim of these people,China got independent 2 years after Pakistan and see where they are and where we are

daud | 8 years ago | Reply Here we have so called Pakistani Q-Mobile ( Ideology and Investment of Micromax India) , totally manufactured in China , promoting Indian Actress and Actors and pretending to be Pure Pakistani Company . Did PTA bothered to check the Quality of Q-Mobile material ? Hazard material used to Manufacture the mobile , which result in exceptionally lower cost ? World is heading one step ahead and our PTA taking one step back . Due to the Poor policies of 3G and 4G auction were delayed for more than 7-8 years . Now here come again the great corrupt visionary PTA.

ishrat salim | 8 years ago | Reply @PakPower: There is no physical office of Q mobile either or Haier etc; are local brands branded in China. Similarly, Samsung, Apple, Lenovo, Nokia etc; are all distributed through their own agents & distributed through distributors. These brands do not have their presence in Pakistan but are present through their accredited agents & that agents registered the brand on their principal's behalf. This is an international practice, hence, it is utterly un-ethical to refuse Xiaomi to register their brand through their agents. There may be other reason. But Xiaomi undoubtedly is a good buy in its category.

irfan | 8 years ago | Reply They must have forgotten to bribe the PTA officials . Xiaomi has gained popularity due to its quality and price is on lower side as well. Have some shame PTA

Farhan Karim | 8 years ago | Reply Its evident that competitors like Q Mobile can't stand the competition posed by Xiaomi with its internationally recognized quality, specs and prices. So they choose to bribe the corrupt PTA. Its disgusting, shameful and annoying for the Xiaomi fans in Pakistan.

Slut | 8 years ago | Reply I will still go and buy it .bite me

Pakistanii | 8 years ago | Reply A bad decision, Xiaomi is a very nice brand if China, they should take away the ban, have been using Xiaomi Health Band Mi2 it is amazing..

kafayat | 8 years ago | Reply So bad, very disopointed decision. Must clear by PTA, otherwise, so bad exempal of bribe, kickback or to benefit so low quality mobile.

Rao | 8 years ago | Reply Just wait for CPEC to get completed! Then Pakistan will become an Asian economic tiger as they claim or get drowned in China made products! China even sells very very very inexpensive coffins too! They flooded the market in the state of Kerala just few years ago despite uproar from Keralites! But , you can't stop them!

DUDE_FROM_BANGALORE | 8 years ago | Reply PTA : why don't you come out and say the truth behind the ban ? That India's Ratan Tata is one of the largest investor in this $45 billion Chinese company.

shafi@ | 8 years ago | Reply Xiaomi actually does not know the way out, give commission to the authorities in PTA, bann will be lifted tomorrow, piece of advice for Xiaomi

sputnik | 8 years ago | Reply Xiaomi actually does not know the way out, give commission to the authorities in PTA, bann will be lifted tomorrow, piece of advice for Xiaomi

Brainy Bhaijan | 8 years ago | Reply PTA has no legal right to even have a say in such matters. It is not a trade body. PM should immediately take strict action against the chairman of PTA.

Ahmed Ali | 8 years ago | Reply There must be a reason for PTA to ban the phones. If Xiaomi thinks that the ban is for killing the competition, they must approach Competition Commission of Pakistan or they can always file a suite in a court of law.

Zulekha | 8 years ago | Reply Xiaomi isnt the first or the last company that has been banned by Pakistan for no apparent reason except to safeguard interest of some influential players in market. This also shows that Pakistan gov is the real reason that big companies like Paypal are unable to operate here.

Unknown | 8 years ago | Reply Its bribe from the cheap quality QMobile which banned the sales of a good brand

ishrat salim | 8 years ago | Reply Sad, same case like Pakistani car makers who are not allowing any other make to enter Pakistan market. I believe Q mobile, Haier & local Chinese mobile phone distributors are behind this move. Xiaomi is a good international brand & must b allowed to compete.

PakPower | 8 years ago | Reply Well done. Xiaomi is not registered in Pakistan and doesn't have a physical office present in the country. Black channels will only take you this far, Xiaomi.

Ali | 8 years ago | Reply One of the best Android phones on the market and PTA band them. One wonders why? Chairman PTA is not the kind of guy one would think who would oppose competition. This is sad.

Jawad | 8 years ago | Reply This is pathetic, PTA has no right to block any smart phone company. XAIOMI has been a partner with Etisalat in UAE .. why it is blocked in pak..?

Replying to X