Abdul Ghani

Pakistan’s imports of smartphones and motor vehicles from China rose sharply in the first two months of the ongoing fiscal year, contributing heavily to the overall growth of imports from its largest trading partner, according to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).

TDAP data show that Pakistan imported telephone sets, including smartphones (HS 8517), worth $326 million from China in July–August FY2025-26, up 70 percent from $192 million in the same period of FY2024-25. In August 2025 alone, Pakistan’s smartphone imports from China were valued at $170 million, compared with $105 million in August 2024, showing a year-on-year growth of 62 percent.

Similarly, Pakistan’s imports of motor cars and other vehicles (HS 8703) from China surged 118 percent in the two-month period, reaching $310 million, compared with $142 million in the corresponding period of last year. During August 2025, Pakistan imported $158 million worth of motor cars from China, against $90 million a year earlier.

In addition to smartphones and automobiles, Pakistan imported significant volumes of iron and steel products, machinery, electrical equipment, and chemicals from China. These categories together strengthened China’s position as Pakistan’s largest source of imports.

Overall, Pakistan’s imports from China totaled $2.99 billion in July–August FY2025-26, showing a 33 percent increase over $2.25 billion in the same period last year. In August 2025 alone, Pakistan imported goods worth $1.37 billion from China, compared with $1.07 billion in August 2024, reflecting an annual increase of 28 percent.

Credit: INP-WealthPk