Pakistan recorded over 13 million mobile phones manufactured in the initial five months of 2024
Pakistan recorded over 13 million mobile phones manufactured in the initial five months of 2024: From January to May 2024, local factories in our country made 13.08 million mobile phones. During the same period, 0.76 million phones were imported from other countries.
In May alone, local factories produced 2.23 million mobile phones, while only 0.11 million were imported.
Out of the total 13.08 million phones made locally, 4.98 million were basic 2G phones, and 8.1 million were smartphones.
According to PTA data, 61 percent of mobile devices in Pakistan are smartphones, and 39 percent are 2G phones.
During 2023, local manufacturing of mobile phones decreased by about four percent. This was due to issues with importing parts, as opening letters of credit for mobile phone accessories was restricted. Despite these challenges, commercial imports of mobile phones increased during the year.
In 2023, local factories produced 21.28 million mobile phones, down from 21.94 million in 2022 and 24.66 million in 2021. Meanwhile, commercial imports rose from 1.53 million in 2022 to 1.58 million in 2023. Out of the 21.28 million phones made locally, 13 million were 2G phones and 8.28 million were smartphones.
From July 2023 to May 2024, Pakistan imported mobile phones worth $1.621 billion, marking a growth of 213.97 percent compared to $516.488 million in the previous fiscal year. In Pakistani rupees, this amounted to Rs 458.472 billion, a 277.37 percent increase from Rs 121.491 billion during the same period last year.
In May 2024, Pakistan’s mobile phone imports decreased by 1.58 percent compared to April 2024, totaling $158.842 million. However, compared to May 2023, imports showed a significant 267.68 percent increase from $43.201 million.
From July 2023 to May 2024, the total imports of telecom equipment into the country amounted to $2.047 billion. This marked a 138.04 percent increase compared to $860.281 million in the same period of the previous fiscal year.
In May 2024, telecom imports showed a year-on-year growth of 163.19 percent, totaling $212.980 million compared to $80.922 million in May 2023. Month-on-month, imports grew by 0.66 percent in May 2024 from $211.589 million in April 2024.
