Pakistan Mobile Phone Imports Fall Over 18% in Q1 FY 2024-25
The first quarter of fiscal year 2024-25 saw a notable decline in Pakistan’s mobile phone imports, dropping by 18.93% compared to last year. Data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reveals that mobile phones worth $246.472 million were imported between July and September 2024, down from $304.029 million in the previous year. This trend aligns with fiscal adjustments and strict import restrictions to manage Pakistan’s foreign reserves, reflecting an overall decrease in mobile imports year-on-year.
September 2024 Import Trends
In September 2024, a month-on-month increase of 29.32% in mobile imports was recorded compared to August 2024, likely due to strategic purchases ahead of potential restrictions or shifts in consumer demand. However, on a year-on-year basis, imports fell by 17.62%, amounting to $102.629 million in September 2024, compared to $124.576 million in September 2023. Economic challenges, including rupee depreciation and inflation, have impacted consumer purchasing power, contributing to the overall reduction.
PTA’s Push for Local Production
In response to these challenges, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has been promoting local mobile phone production to reduce dependency on imports in the long term. This effort is part of Pakistan’s broader strategy to support domestic manufacturing and reduce import reliance.
Rise in Domestic Mobile Production
During the first nine months of 2024 (9M2024), Pakistan saw the sale of 22.59 million locally manufactured or assembled mobile phones, marking a 74% increase from the previous year. High import taxes have made local assembly attractive, supporting economic recovery and meeting the rising demand from Pakistan’s population. This shift underscores Pakistan’s aim to strengthen its economy by reducing import dependency and fostering domestic production.
