Due to a partial ban on the import of parts of cell phones, the prices of mobile phone sets of different companies have increased enormously by Rs15,000 to Rs40,000 in the mobile phone markets of Lahore, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Friday.

Sardar Azhar Sultan, senior vice president of the traders’ association of Hall Road, said that the cell phones’ prices increased due to difficulties in the import of mobile phones.

“Due to the lack of foreign exchange, the government has made the import process very difficult,” he added.

“Due to the increase in the prices of mobile phones, the sale of cell phones has decreased significantly. It has made very difficult for the traders to pay the rent of shops, taxes and salaries of employees and meet other expenses,” he complained.

It is to be noted here that a cell phone of Rs35,000 is being sold at Rs52,000, the cell phone of Rs50,000 at 66,000 and the cell phone of Rs66,000 is being sold at Rs80,000.

Reporter: Shahzad Khan Abdali