The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics reported a robust 40.51% increase in mobile phone imports for July-November 2025-26, totaling $801.139 million against $570.184 million in the same period last year. This translates to a significant jump in value, driven by easing import policies and growing market demand. Monthly data for November 2025 showed imports at $156.565 million, up from previous months and reflecting sustained momentum. The figures underscore a recovery in consumer spending on electronics following previous years’ constraints.
Implications for Economy and Local Industry
While imports have risen sharply, local manufacturing remains a success story, with plants assembling 25.11 million units from January to October 2025, including 13.2 million smartphones. Commercial imports in volume are minimal, suggesting much of the import value comprises components (CKD/SKD kits) for local assembly rather than finished phones. This explains lower State Bank-recorded payments ($104.5 million for July-November). The trend supports job creation in domestic production but raises concerns over foreign exchange outflow. Experts view the surge positively as a sign of economic normalization, potentially boosting digital penetration, though balanced with efforts to further localize high-value components.