Pakistan imported mobile phones worth $143.889 million during the first two months of the financial year 2024-25, covering July and August. This is a decrease of 19.82% compared to the same period last year, when mobile phone imports were valued at $179.453 million.
In August 2024 alone, mobile phone imports saw an increase of 23.14% compared to July 2024, reaching $79.406 million. However, when compared to August of last year, imports showed a drop of 28.68%, reflecting a year-on-year decline.
Meanwhile, local mobile phone manufacturing in Pakistan continues to grow. From January to July 2024, the country produced 18.95 million mobile phone units, out of which 12.1 million were smartphones. This shows a strong push towards domestic production in the mobile sector.
In terms of overall telecom imports, including mobile phones and other equipment, the total stood at $221.725 million during the first two months of the current financial year. This represents a decrease of 7.73% compared to the same period last year.
When looking at mobile phone imports in Pakistani rupees, the total for July and August 2024 was Rs40.069 billion, a 22.73% drop compared to last year’s figure. This decline in imports, both in dollar and rupee terms, points to shifting trends in the telecom industry, with more emphasis on local manufacturing and possibly changing consumer demands or policies that affect imports.
