Pakistan’s mobile phone imports dropped significantly over the past eleven months, totaling $1.36 billion — a sharp decline of 16.31% from the $1.62 billion spent during the same period last year, according to fresh figures from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
The most dramatic fall came in May 2025, when imports plunged by nearly 36% compared to May 2024, and by almost 20% from April this year. This trend may be driven by tighter import restrictions, reduced consumer demand, or a broader shift toward locally assembled devices.
On the flip side, there’s some good news for the economy. Exports rose by 5.15% between July and May, reaching $29.56 billion — a sign that Pakistan’s efforts to increase outward trade are slowly paying off.
However, total imports continue to rise. Between July and May, imports reached $53.55 billion, up 7.5% from last year. Experts say this increase is likely due to elevated costs of fuel, industrial machinery, and essential raw materials.
The growing gap between imports and exports highlights the challenges Pakistan faces in narrowing its trade deficit. Even with higher exports, the pace of rising imports could place renewed pressure on the current account and foreign currency reserves.
Economic managers are expected to review these numbers carefully as they work toward greater fiscal stability and long-term trade reforms.