Mobile phone imports into Pakistan recorded a staggering 16.31 percent decline during the first eleven months of fiscal year (FY) 2024-25 compared to the corresponding period in FY 2023-24. 

 

Data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) revealed that a whopping $1.356 billion worth of phones entered the country during the first eleven months of FY 2024-25. The import bill for phones during the same period in FY 2023-24 stood at an alarmingly high $1.62 billion.

 

As per reports, mobile phone imports in May 2025 logged an even sharper drop on a year-on-year (YoY) basis, declining by a colossal 35.83 percent. Meanwhile, the imports amounted to $157.592 million in May 2024, falling to just $101.131 million during the same month in 2025.

 

Data from the PBS indicates that month-on-month (MoM) imports declined in May 2025 as well, falling by 19.61 percent. This translated into the mobile phone import bill witnessing a MoM drop of $23.972 million. 

 

The import of mobile phones detrimentally impacts local manufacturers and assemblers. However, it merits a mention that a vast array of mobile phones are not manufactured locally and can only be sourced via imports.

 

A popular example of such phones is the iPhone, which is more expensive than most other mobile phones. Its higher price could be a contributing factor to the large mobile phone import bill.

 

Currently, the price of the iPhone 16 rests at $799 in the US, which translates to about Rs227,000. Similarly, the iPhone 16 Pro's price sits at $999, which converts to approximately Rs284,000.

 

It merits a mention that the figures above are retail prices that US consumers face, and prices are likely to be much higher in the domestic market as imports face duties.  

 

The mobile import bill might worsen with the launch of Apple’s latest phone, the iPhone 17, which is expected to be priced higher in the domestic market as opposed to its price in the US. According to reports, the latest iPhone model could cost approximately Rs573,999 in the domestic market.

 

However, the price might fall in the domestic market if Pakistan reduces tariffs. According to reports, authorities may reduce tariffs as part of negotiations with the US to avoid a 29 percent reciprocal tariff.