CW Pakistan
  • Legacy
    • Legacy Editorial
    • Editor’s Note
  • Academy
  • Wired
  • Cellcos
  • PayTech
  • Business
  • Ignite
  • Digital Pakistan
  • DFDI
  • PSEB
  • PASHA
  • TechAdvisor
  • GamePro
  • Partnerships
  • PCWorld
  • Macworld
  • Infoworld
  • TechHive
  • TechAdvisor
0
0
0
0
0
Subscribe
CW Pakistan
CW Pakistan CW Pakistan
  • Legacy
    • Legacy Editorial
    • Editor’s Note
  • Academy
  • Wired
  • Cellcos
  • PayTech
  • Business
  • Ignite
  • Digital Pakistan
  • DFDI
  • PSEB
  • PASHA
  • TechAdvisor
  • GamePro
  • Partnerships
  • Cellcos

Pakistan Sees 200% Surge in Mobile Phone Imports Amid Manufacturing Challenges

  • May 21, 2024
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0
Share
Tweet
Share
Share
Share
Share

Pakistanis are snapping up mobile phones at an unprecedented rate, with imports skyrocketing by over 200% in the first ten months of the current fiscal year. According to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the country imported a staggering $1.462 billion worth of mobile phones between July 2023 and April 2024, compared to just $473.287 million during the same period last year. This growth is even more impressive when viewed in rupee terms, with imports reaching Rs. 414.276 billion, a surge of 279.52% year-on-year.

The import trend shows no signs of slowing down. April 2024 saw a 5.44% increase in mobile phone imports compared to March 2024, while the year-on-year increase for April 2024 is a staggering 1424.42% compared to April 2023.

This growth isn’t limited to just mobile phones. Overall telecom imports into Pakistan also witnessed significant growth, reaching $1.834 billion during July-April 2023-24, a 135.44% increase year-on-year.

However, while Pakistanis are enjoying increased access to mobile devices, the story of domestic manufacturing is less rosy. Local production has faced challenges due to restrictions on opening letters of credit (LCs) for mobile phone accessories. Despite these hurdles, local plants managed to produce 6.1 million mobile handsets in the first two months of 2024, compared to just 0.3 million imported commercially during the same period. This production includes a mix of 2G and smartphones, reflecting the current network composition in Pakistan where 60% of devices are smartphones, according to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

The limited growth in local manufacturing is concerning. Compared to 2023, production has actually declined by around 4%.  While commercial imports have increased, Pakistan’s mobile phone export figures remain low. Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, highlighted that despite having 35 mobile manufacturing companies in the country, Pakistan only exported a meager 0.2 million mobile phone units.

This situation presents Pakistan with a challenge: how to meet the surging demand for mobile phones while also fostering a robust domestic mobile phone industry. Addressing import restrictions and finding ways to support local manufacturers will be crucial in ensuring Pakistan benefits from the mobile phone boom not just as consumers, but also as an exporter and economic player in the global tech industry. 

Share
Tweet
Share
Share
Share
Previous Article
  • Wired

Worker Shortage Opens Doors in Finland: High Salaries and Opportunities for Foreigners

  • May 21, 2024
Read More
Next Article
  • Wired

Myco Scores Big with Streaming Rights for 6 Major ICC Tournaments 

  • May 21, 2024
Read More
You May Also Like
Read More
  • Cellcos

Pakistan Delays Satellite Internet Launch to Finalize Rules, Attract More LEO Operators

  • Press Desk
  • July 12, 2025
Read More
  • Cellcos

Jazz and Zong Lead in Pakistan’s 2025 Download Speed Rankings Across 15 Cities

  • Press Desk
  • July 11, 2025
Read More
  • Cellcos

Starlink to Begin Satellite Internet Services in Pakistan by End of 2025

  • Press Desk
  • July 11, 2025
Read More
  • Cellcos

Cratus Launches 100,000 sq. ft. Smart Telecom Cabinet Facility in Islamabad

  • Press Desk
  • July 10, 2025
Read More
  • Cellcos

PTA Licenses VPN Providers in Pakistan, 4 Approved for Operations

  • Press Desk
  • July 10, 2025
Read More
  • Cellcos

Zong Tops PTA Network Coverage Rankings in Pakistan for 2025

  • Press Desk
  • July 9, 2025
Read More
  • Cellcos

NDMA and Jazz Use Geo-Fenced Alerts to Safeguard Flood-Affected Citizens

  • Press Desk
  • July 9, 2025
Read More
  • Cellcos

PTCL and Huawei Power Sukh Chayn Residence with 5G-Ready Digital Indoor System

  • Press Desk
  • July 7, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Trending Posts
  • U.S. Mission, LMKT, and PUAN Empower Pakistani Entrepreneurs with Business Masterclass
    • July 13, 2025
  • MOITT Launches Tri-Party AI Training for University Faculties Backed by Meta, HEC and NCEAC
    • July 13, 2025
  • KP Launches Digital NOC System to Simplify Travel for Foreign Tourists
    • July 12, 2025
  • Shaza Fatima, Alibaba Discuss Strengthening Pakistan’s Digital Trade and Global E-Commerce Ties
    • July 12, 2025
  • Pakistan Delays Satellite Internet Launch to Finalize Rules, Attract More LEO Operators
    • July 12, 2025
about
CWPK Legacy
Launched in 1967 internationally, ComputerWorld is the oldest tech magazine/media property in the world. In Pakistan, ComputerWorld was launched in 1995. Initially providing news to IT executives only, once CIO Pakistan, its sister brand from the same family, was launched and took over the enterprise reporting domain in Pakistan, CWPK has emerged as a holistic technology media platform reporting everything tech in the country. It remains the oldest continuous IT publishing brand in the country and in 2025 is set to turn 30 years old, which will be its biggest benchmark and a legacy it hopes to continue for years to come. CWPK is part of the SPIN/IDG Wakhan media umbrella.
Read more
Explore Computerworld Sites Globally
  • computerworld.es
  • computerworld.com.pt
  • computerworld.com
  • cw.no
  • computerworldmexico.com.mx
  • computerwoche.de
  • computersweden.idg.se
  • computerworld.hu
Content from other IDG brands
  • PCWorld
  • Macworld
  • Infoworld
  • TechHive
  • TechAdvisor
CW Pakistan CW Pakistan
  • CWPK
  • CXO
  • DEMO
  • WALLET

CW Media & all its sub-brands are copyrighted to SPIN-IDG Wakhan Media Inc., the publishing arm of NCC-RP Group. This site is designed by Crunch Collective. ©️1995-2025. Read Privacy Policy.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.