The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) has announced a sharp increase in the import of smartphones into Pakistan, totaling Rs370 billion in the first nine months of the financial year.
This is an impressive 180% jump compared to the previous year.
The report shows that spending on imported smartphones from July to March reached $1.30 billion. In the same period last year, imports were Rs106 billion or $460 million.
The data also indicates a huge rise in March 2024, with smartphone imports soaring by 930% compared to March of the previous year. In March alone, the total value of mobile phone imports hit Rs42.65 billion, with a foreign exchange cost of $153 million.
In contrast, in March 2023, imported phones were valued at Rs4.16 billion or $14.8 million.
The dramatic rise in smartphone imports highlights the growing demand for technology and connectivity in Pakistan.
