Mohsin Siddiqui (Chief Reporter)
Pakistan’s mobile phone imports have witnessed a substantial surge. During the first ten months (July-April) of the current fiscal year 2023-24, the country imported mobile phones worth $1.462 billion. This represents an astounding growth of 209.07 percent compared to the $473.287 million imported during the same period of the previous fiscal year.
When converted to Pakistani rupees, the import value of mobile phones amounted to Rs414.276 billion during the first ten months of the current fiscal year, registering an impressive 279.52 percent growth from Rs109.158 billion in the corresponding period last year. This significant rise reflects the increased demand and dependency on mobile technology within the country.
On a month-on-month (MoM) basis, Pakistan’s mobile phone imports in April 2024 showed a modest increase of 5.44 percent, amounting to $161.393 million, up from $153.045 million in March 2024. This steady growth indicates a consistent upward trend in mobile phone imports.
More striking, however, is the year-on-year (YoY) comparison for April 2024. The mobile phone imports soared by an extraordinary 1,424.42 percent, reaching $161.393 million, a stark contrast to the mere $10.587 million imported in April 2023. This exponential growth highlights the sharp rise in mobile phone demand over the past year.
The broader category of telecom imports also saw significant growth. From July to April 2023-24, the overall telecom imports into Pakistan stood at $1.834 billion, showing a remarkable increase of 135.44 percent compared to $77.359 million during the same period last fiscal year.
On a YoY basis, the telecom imports in April 2024 experienced a tremendous growth of 515.52 percent, reaching $211.663 million compared to $34.388 million in April 2023. Additionally, on a MoM basis, the overall telecom imports grew by 12.02 percent, from $188.942 million in March 2024 to $211.663 million in April 2024. These figures underscore the expanding telecommunications market and the growing appetite for telecom products in Pakistan.
The dramatic increase in mobile phone and telecom imports is reflective of several underlying economic and social trends in Pakistan. The surge can be attributed to the growing digitalization and the rising necessity for advanced communication devices in everyday life, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic which has increased reliance on mobile technology for both personal and professional use.
Additionally, this upward trend could also be linked to the expansion of internet services and the launch of new mobile networks in Pakistan, driving the need for more advanced mobile devices compatible with newer technologies. As more people gain access to 4G and potentially 5G networks, the demand for smartphones and other mobile devices is expected to continue rising.
In response to the increasing imports, the government might consider policies to boost local manufacturing and assembly of mobile phones to reduce the import bill. Encouraging local production through incentives and investments could not only help in managing the trade deficit but also create job opportunities and contribute to the local economy.
The telecommunications industry in Pakistan is poised for continued growth, with increasing investments in infrastructure and technology. This trend presents opportunities for both local and international players to invest in the burgeoning market.
