Pakistan spent $1.36 billion on mobile phone imports during the first eleven months of the fiscal year 2025, showing a 16.31% decline compared to $1.62 billion in the same period last year, according to fresh figures from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The fall was even sharper in May 2025. Compared to May last year, phone imports fell by 35.83%, while on a monthly basis they dropped 19.61% from April. Experts believe this decline could be the result of weak consumer demand and tighter import restrictions.
At the same time, Pakistan’s export performance improved. Between July and May FY25, exports grew by 5.15%, reaching $29.56 billion. This growth is seen as a positive step toward strengthening the economy and reducing reliance on imports.
However, overall imports went up by 7.50%, reaching $53.55 billion compared to $49.82 billion last year. The increase mainly came from rising prices of fuel, machinery, and raw materials, which continue to weigh heavily on Pakistan’s trade balance.
The growing gap between imports and exports remains a serious concern. While higher exports bring hope, the rising import bill could put pressure on foreign exchange reserves and the current account balance, making economic stability harder to achieve.
