ISLAMABAD: Mobile phone imports into Pakistan fell significantly by 21.31% in the fiscal year 2024-25, reflecting continued economic pressures, despite a sharp increase in imports during the final month of the year, official data revealed on Wednesday.
According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), mobile phone imports totaled $1.49 billion from July 2024 to June 2025, down from $1.89 billion in the previous fiscal year. In local currency terms, imports amounted to Rs417.35 billion.
In contrast, June 2025 saw a notable spike. Imports that month rose by nearly 50% year-on-year, reaching $139.4 million compared to $92.9 million in June 2024. The rupee value for June 2025 stood at Rs39.45 billion.
Analysts attribute the June surge to anticipation of new model launches and improved customs clearance procedures. However, the overall annual decline is linked to a combination of import restrictions, exchange rate fluctuations, and shrinking consumer purchasing power.
Pakistan’s mobile phone sector has faced mounting challenges amid broader economic instability. The government had earlier tightened import controls on luxury and non-essential items in a bid to rein in the trade deficit and conserve foreign exchange reserves.
Industry experts caution that while temporary upticks may occur, the long-term outlook for mobile phone imports hinges on the country’s economic stability and consistent trade policies.
Despite calls to promote domestic manufacturing, Pakistan’s telecom sector still heavily depends on imported devices. While a few local firms have begun assembling phones through partnerships with foreign companies, their market share remains modest.
