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June 7, 2026
Hisense partners with Airlink to begin local assembly in Sundar SEZ, aiming to drive tech transfer, job creation and reduce imports, a signal of Pakistan’s shift toward manufacturing.
Hisense, the global consumer electronics giant, has formally launched operations in Pakistan through a partnership with Airlink Communication Limited, the companies announced at a ceremony in Lahore on Saturday.
The move will see devices assembled and air conditioners manufactured at Airlink’s Sundar Special Economic Zone facility, officials said, aiming to cut imports and conserve foreign exchange while boosting local production.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan called the launch a “strong vote of confidence” in Pakistan’s industrial future and said the project will promote technology transfer, skills development and employment. “Pakistan is not merely a market; it is becoming a manufacturing hub,” he said.
Airlink’s Sundar plant already employs more than 2,500 people and the Hisense tie‑up is expected to expand that workforce, company and government sources told attendees at the Expo Centre Lahore. Officials highlighted the partnership as a model of combining international technology with domestic manufacturing capacity.
Government representatives said the initiative aligns with the National Industrial Policy and National Tariff Policy, designed to improve competitiveness, attract investment and create a predictable business environment. Regulators are also pursuing a “regulatory guillotine” to remove unnecessary red tape, they added.
Industry analysts said the entry of a well‑known Chinese brand like Hisense could spur competition, encourage higher product standards, and pave the way for export‑oriented production if scale and supply chains develop. Critics cautioned that sustaining investment will require consistent policy implementation and support for local supplier development.
Hisense’s leadership from China attended the launch, underscoring the company’s commitment to a long‑term presence in Pakistan, while Airlink’s management was credited for securing the partnership. The collaboration is being presented as part of deeper Pakistan China industrial cooperation, officials noted.
If the venture delivers on promises of technology transfer and job creation, the launch may mark a tangible step in Pakistan’s shift from import dependence toward a production‑led industrial strategy.
