Pakistan's Mobile Phone Imports Surge in Fiscal Year 2023-24

In the fiscal year 2023-24, Pakistan experienced a remarkable increase in mobile phone imports, reaching $1.462 billion in the first 10 months. This surge represents a substantial rise of 209.07% compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year, as reported by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

During April 2024 alone, mobile phone imports saw a 5.44% month-on-month increase, totaling $161.393 million. Year-on-year, imports in April 2024 skyrocketed by an impressive 1,424.42%, showcasing the growing demand for mobile devices in the country.

When converted to local currency, mobile phone imports amounted to Rs414.276 billion, marking a significant 279.52% increase from the previous fiscal year. The overall telecom imports for July-April 2023-24 stood at $1.834 billion, reflecting a notable 135.44% increase compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year. In April 2024, telecom imports surged by 515.52% year-on-year to $211.663 million.

On the manufacturing front, local plants in Pakistan produced 6.1 million mobile handsets in the first two months of 2024, a substantial increase compared to the 0.3 million imported commercially. Data from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) revealed that 60% of mobile devices on the network are smartphones, while 40% are 2G handsets. Despite challenges in importing accessories due to restrictions on opening letters of credit (LCs), commercial imports of mobile handsets continued to rise.

The surge in mobile phone imports in Pakistan signifies a growing trend in the telecommunications sector, with both imports and local production on the rise. This increase not only reflects the evolving consumer preferences towards mobile technology but also highlights the country's efforts to boost its domestic manufacturing capabilities. As the demand for mobile devices continues to grow, Pakistan is poised to further strengthen its position in the global mobile market.