Islamabad, June 22, 2025 – Pakistan has spent a substantial $1.36 billion on the import of mobile phones during the first eleven months (July–May) of the fiscal year 2024-25, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
Despite a growing local manufacturing sector, the country’s reliance on imported phones remains significant.
The PBS report highlights that the value of mobile phones import during this 11-month period is 16.31% lower than the $1.62 billion paid in the same period of the previous fiscal year. This decline reflects not only a contraction in demand but also possible effects of tighter import regulations and macroeconomic pressures.
In Pakistani rupee terms, the cost of mobile phones import totaled Rs378 billion, marking a 17.44% reduction compared to Rs458 billion spent during the same period in 2023-24. The depreciation of the rupee, shifting consumer patterns, and an increase in local production have contributed to this year-on-year decrease.
Over the last few years, the demand for smartphones has surged across Pakistan, driven by greater reliance on digital services, mobile banking, e-commerce platforms, and improved internet penetration. Despite the rising demand, the government has been encouraging local assembly and manufacturing of phones to reduce dependency on imported devices.
Currently, several global and local brands are assembling mobile phones within Pakistan under the Mobile Device Manufacturing Policy, which aims to enhance the country’s self-sufficiency in telecom technology. However, due to consumer preferences for high-end brands and models not yet produced locally, the volume and value of imported phones remain sizable.
Analysts believe that while the downward trend in mobile phones import is positive from a trade deficit perspective, Pakistan must further incentivize local production, particularly in the high-end smartphone segment, to reduce its reliance on foreign markets.
In conclusion, while the decline in mobile phones import payments reflects a step toward economic rationalization, Pakistan still faces the challenge of meeting local demand without straining foreign exchange reserves. Expanding the local mobile industry will be key to achieving long-term sustainability in this crucial sector.