Islamabad, May 18, 2025 — Pakistan imported mobile phones worth a staggering Rs350 billion during the first ten months (July–April) of the fiscal year 2024–25, according to fresh data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The figure, while substantial, represents a notable decline when compared to the same period last year.
In the corresponding ten months of fiscal year 2023–24, mobile phone imports stood at Rs414 billion, indicating a 15.57% decrease in rupee terms. Similarly, in dollar terms, imports also dropped by 14.21%, falling to $1.25 billion from $1.46 billion recorded during the same period of the previous year.
On a Year-on-Year (YoY) basis, the decline was even more significant. In April 2025 alone, mobile phone imports dropped by 22.47%, reaching $125 million compared to $161 million in April 2024. On a Month-on-Month (MoM) basis, imports slipped by an additional 4%, reflecting ongoing sluggishness in the market.
Market analysts point to multiple reasons behind the decline in mobile phone imports. One major factor is the anticipation among importers of potential tax relief measures in the upcoming federal budget 2025–26, prompting many to hold off on bulk imports. Additionally, the local production of mobile phones has picked up significantly in recent years, helping reduce the country’s reliance on imported models.
The growing availability of locally assembled and manufactured phones has been encouraged by the government’s mobile device manufacturing policy, which offers incentives for domestic production. As a result, more consumers are now turning to locally produced phones, which are often more affordable and better suited to local network conditions.
Despite the downward trend in imports, Pakistan remains a significant market for mobile devices, and overall demand continues to evolve in line with technology adoption and consumer preferences. However, the future dynamics of mobile phone imports will likely hinge on government policy decisions and the continued growth of the local manufacturing ecosystem.