KARACHI: The imports of mobile phones through Appraisement West, East and air have declined by 16 percent during the first quarter of the current financial year (July-September) as compared to the same period of the previous year.
The total imports of mobile phone stood at $146.57 million while it was $172.87 million in the same period last year, sources say.
According to sources, overall output of mobile phones has been falling steadily ever since the government has made it mandatory to get No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for mobile handset imports form any where in the world.
Similarly, overall telecom imports in Pakistan dropped in the said period to $277.69 million, registering 11.2 percent yearly growth as compared to telecom imports worth of $312.79 million in same period of FY16.
The telecom companies imported $131.13 million worth of telecom accessories and machinery in the first quarter of FY17 while it stood at 139.93 million in same period of previous fiscal.
In the month of September 2016, mobile phone imports decreased significantly by 20.19 percent as Pakistani imported $53.85 million worth of mobile phones in the said month as compared to $67.48 million in same month of 2015.
Meanwhile Collectorate of Customs Preventive, Anti Smuggling Organization ASO has foiled a bid to smuggle 22,000 liters of Iranian diesel on Wednesday.
According to details, on a tip off, Deputy Collector ASO Ali Raza Turrabi along with his team intercepted a dumper truck carrying reti bajri on Mauripur road.
While during thorough checking of the dumper, the ASO team recovered 22,000 liters of Iranian diesel hidden under reti. The driver of the dumper truck was arrested on the spot while further investigation is underway.
