ISLAMABAD: Mobile phone imports into the country declined over 15 percent in the first quarter of the current financial year as compared to the same period of last year.
According to the latest data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), total imports of mobile phone stood at $146,562 in the first quarter of current fiscal year 2016-17 against $172,860 during the same period of last financial year.
The figures are alarming as due to low call rates and internet, mobile phone use has been increased many folds during recent years.
Many hold flawed policies of Ministry of IT, responsible for the recent decline in exports of mobile handsets. Many believe, in absence of local manufacturing, less imports are indication that growth of telecom has reached saturation. Whereas, many term heavy taxation as one of the main reasons behind the negative growth in mobile import.
During 2016, the government almost doubled sales tax on import of mobile phones, an increase for medium and high category/smart phones on the import of mobile phone sets. Industry experts believe in addition to direct taxes there are many other factors which are hindering telecom industry.
According to PTA data, till mid of September, the number of users has grown to 134411877. In 2003-04, the total cellular consumers were 5,022,908.
In September, total 3G/4G subscribers also grew to 34318350 from 18040854, September last year. The mobile density increased to 69.39 percent from 3.29 percent on 2003-04.
