Pakistani Company Seeks Cost-effective Chinese Robots as Demand for Industrial Automation Grows
A Pakistani company is exploring Chinese robotics solutions for automotive production as demand for industrial automation grows in the country, according to M. Irfan Dhedhi, a representative of a trading company affiliated with Pakistan’s Atlas Group.
Speaking at the 2026 World Robot Conference in Beijing, Dhedhi from Shirazi Trading Company stated that the company is looking for automation solutions, particularly robotic arms, for assembly lines, welding, and other industrial applications. He noted, "Previously it was a very costly solution. Now we find some cost-effective solutions." The company has already placed orders for several robots from a Chinese supplier, which are expected to arrive in Pakistan soon.
Dhedhi’s company is involved in the automotive business in Pakistan, where Atlas Group is a joint-venture partner of Honda. During the conference, he also discussed potential cooperation with a China-Japan joint-venture robotics company with about 30 years of experience in China’s automotive sector.
The two sides discussed applying robotic solutions to automotive production in Pakistan. The Chinese company intends to share relevant cases and applications, including welding, spot welding, painting, and palletizing, before further business discussions.
This exchange highlights a unique challenge for automation in Pakistan. While labor costs remain relatively low, the automotive manufacturing industry has a high demand for robots due to the need for consistent, stable, and safe production. Robots are widely used for repetitive tasks like welding, regardless of the type of vehicle produced—whether internal-combustion or electric.
For Chinese robotics suppliers, Pakistan presents a distinct market from China, where rising labor costs have been a significant driver of automation. In Pakistan, affordability remains critical, but some manufacturing processes might require automation even where manual labor is relatively inexpensive.
Pakistan has also been actively developing its robotics and automation ecosystem. The government hosted the Indus Robotics and Autonomous Systems Expo in July, bringing together industry, academia, startups, and investors to promote robotics and autonomous systems across various sectors, including manufacturing.
The emerging connections between Pakistani manufacturers and Chinese robotics companies suggest potential cooperation extending beyond technology demonstrations to equipment purchases, industrial applications, and longer-term partnerships.
