Is Apple Coming to Pakistan? Everything You Need to Know

For years, people in Pakistan have been asking: when will Apple officially come here? The good news is something is finally happening. But here’s the thing—it’s not quite what many people think.

A company called Airlink is opening a store in Lahore by the end of 2025 where you can buy real Apple products. This isn’t the same as an actual Apple retail store that Apple owns and runs, but it’s still a big deal for people who love iPhones, iPads, and other Apple gear.

In this article, we’ll explain exactly what’s happening, where the store will be, and what it means for you. We’ll also talk about why Apple has not officially come to Pakistan yet, and when that might actually happen.

What Is Really Happening With Apple in Pakistan?

Let’s be clear about what’s actually going on. Airlink Communication, which is a company that sells phones in Pakistan, made an announcement in October 2025. They said they would open a store for Apple products by the end of 2025. This sounds amazing, right? Well, it is good news, but it’s important to understand what kind of store it will be.

This is not an official Apple store like you see in the United States or Europe. Those stores are owned and run directly by Apple. This new store in Pakistan will be an authorized reseller store, which means Airlink will run it, but they have permission from Apple to sell Apple products. Think of it like this: an authorized reseller is like a trusted friend who has permission to sell something on Apple’s behalf. An official Apple store is like Apple doing it themselves.

Many news outlets in Pakistan called it an “official Apple store,” which caused confusion. People on social media and tech forums quickly pointed out that this isn’t the same thing. But don’t worry—it’s still very important news for people in Pakistan who want to buy genuine Apple products.

Where Will the Airlink Apple Store Open?

The new Apple authorized reseller store will be in Dolmen Mall Lahore. Dolmen Mall is one of the biggest and most popular shopping centers in Lahore, so it’s a great location. The store will share space with a Xiaomi retail outlet, which means both Apple and Xiaomi products will be sold in the same area.

Why Lahore First?

You might be wondering why Lahore got the store first instead of Karachi or Islamabad. Lahore is Pakistan’s second-biggest city, and it has a lot of people who like to buy technology products. Dolmen Mall has great foot traffic, which means lots of people walk through it every day. This makes it perfect for an Apple store. However, some people on social media have asked why the store isn’t in Karachi, which is Pakistan’s biggest city. That’s a fair question, but Airlink probably chose Lahore because of the mall’s location and the number of people who shop there.

When Will the Apple Store Open in Lahore?

The store is planned to open by the end of 2025. That means sometime between now and December 2025. The exact date hasn’t been announced yet. When Airlink first announced this in October 2025, they said it would happen by the end of the year, so we should know more details soon.

What Products Will You Find at the Airlink Apple Store?

When the store opens, you’ll be able to buy a full range of Apple products in Pakistan. Here’s what will probably be available:

1. iPhones – The latest models and older versions
2. iPads – Tablets from Apple
3. MacBooks – Apple’s laptops
4. Apple Watches – Smartwatches that work with iPhones
5. AirPods – Wireless earphones
6. Apple Accessories – Cases, chargers, cables, and other add-ons

This is exciting because right now, if you want to buy genuine Apple products in Pakistan, you have to go to smaller authorized dealers scattered around the city, or you have to buy from people who bring them from outside the country. Having everything in one big store will make it much easier.

Official Apple Store vs. Authorized Reseller: What’s the Difference?

This is an important question that many people are confused about. Let’s break it down simply.

Official Apple Stores (Apple-Owned)

An official Apple store is owned and operated directly by Apple. In these stores, you’ll find:

• Genius Bar – A place where Apple experts help fix your devices and answer questions
• Same prices worldwide – Apple controls the prices, so an iPhone costs about the same everywhere
• Apple staff – Employees are trained by Apple and wear Apple uniforms
• Premium experience – The stores are designed by Apple with their special look and feel
• Direct warranty support – Apple handles all warranty and repair issues

Authorized Reseller Stores

An authorized reseller like Airlink’s store is run by a different company, but they have permission from Apple. Here’s what you get:

• Genuine products – All products are real and not fake
• Official warranties – Products come with Apple’s warranty
• Lower prices potentially – Sometimes prices can be different
• Different staff – Employees work for Airlink, not Apple
• Less fancy setup – The store might not look as fancy as Apple’s official stores

The most important thing to understand is that both sell real Apple products. The difference is mainly in how they look and who runs them.

Why Hasn’t Apple Officially Come to Pakistan Yet?

This is the question everyone wants answered. Why has Apple not opened an official store in Pakistan when there are millions of people here who love iPhones?

Reason 1: Market Strategy

Apple is very careful about where it opens stores. The company wants to make sure the market is ready and will support a big investment. Pakistan’s economy is growing, and more people can afford Apple products, but Apple might still be studying the market to see if it’s the right time.

Reason 2: Regulatory and Legal Challenges

Pakistan has different laws and regulations than other countries. Apple has to make sure it can follow all the rules. Things like taxes, imports, and business licenses can be complicated, and Apple wants to get everything right before opening.

Reason 3: Real Estate and Location

Finding the perfect location for an Apple retail store is hard. Apple wants big spaces in busy shopping areas with lots of foot traffic. These locations are expensive, and Apple is picky about where it sets up shop.

Reason 4: Import and Tax Issues

Apple products have to be imported into Pakistan, and there are high taxes on electronics. The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) adds taxes to phones and other devices. These costs make Apple products more expensive in Pakistan than in other countries. Apple needs to understand these costs before opening a store.

Reason 5: Manufacturing Considerations

Apple has been opening stores in countries where it also manufactures products or has big plans to manufacture. India is a good example—Apple is making iPhones there, so they opened stores. Pakistan doesn’t manufacture Apple products yet, which might be why Apple hasn’t prioritized opening a store here.

How Do Pakistanis Currently Buy Apple Products?

Before this new store opens, how have people been buying iPhones and other Apple products?

Method 1: Authorized Resellers

There are already some authorized Apple dealers in Pakistan. These are smaller shops, mainly in Lahore and Karachi, where you can buy real Apple products. They’re not as fancy as big stores, but they sell genuine items.

Method 2: Grey Market

Many Pakistanis buy iPhones from the grey market. This means buying phones that were meant for other countries and bringing them to Pakistan. These are real products, but they might not come with Pakistani warranties or support.

Method 3: Buying from Abroad

Some people travel to other countries like the United States, Dubai, or Saudi Arabia and bring back iPhones and other Apple products. They might do this because prices are lower there, even after adding the cost of travel.

Method 4: Online Retailers

International online retailers sometimes ship to Pakistan, though Apple’s official website does not deliver here directly.

The Role of GNEXT Technologies and Airlink

Understanding who’s behind this store is important. Two companies are making this happen: GNEXT Technologies and Airlink Communication.

GNEXT Technologies is Apple’s official authorized distributor in Pakistan. This means GNEXT has an agreement with Apple to bring and sell Apple products in Pakistan. They’re the middleman between Apple and the stores that sell to customers.

Airlink Communication is a Pakistani company that makes and sells phones. In September 2024, GNEXT chose Airlink as a “premium partner.” This means Airlink gets to sell Apple products in their stores. The new store in Dolmen Mall will be run by Airlink under this partnership.

Benefits of the New Airlink Apple Store

When this store opens in 2025, what will be better for Pakistani customers?

1. Guaranteed Genuine Products

You won’t have to worry about buying fake or used products. Everything in the store will be real and new.

2. Official Warranties

Products will come with Apple’s warranty, which means if something breaks, you can get it fixed through official channels.

3. Better Customer Service

Airlink has trained staff who can help you pick the right product and answer questions about how to use it.

4. All Products in One Place

Instead of searching different shops, you can go to one place and find iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, and all the accessories you need.

5. Structured Retail Experience

The store will be organized and professional, not just a small shop on the side of the street.

When Might Apple Actually Open an Official Store in Pakistan?

This is the big question. While Airlink’s authorized reseller store is good news, will Apple ever actually open its own official store here?

Probably yes, but it might take a while. Apple opened its first official store in India in 2023, and India is Pakistan’s neighbor with a similar population. If Apple continues expanding in South Asia, Pakistan could get an official store in the future. However, there’s no announcement yet, so it could take several more years.

For Apple to open an official store in Pakistan, a few things would probably need to happen:

• Economic growth – Pakistan’s economy needs to be stronger
• Tax changes – The government might need to reduce taxes on electronics
• Manufacturing – Apple might want to manufacture products here, like they do in India
• Market maturity – Pakistan’s tech market needs to grow more

What About Service and Repairs?

One big difference between an authorized reseller and an official Apple store is service. Official Apple stores have “Genius Bars” where you can get help and repairs.

At Airlink’s store, you’ll be able to buy products and probably get some basic help. However, for serious repairs, you might still need to go to authorized service centers. Hopefully, Airlink will have better service options than what exists now, but don’t expect it to be exactly like an Apple Genius Bar.

Are Prices Going to Be Lower?

This is another common question. Will Apple products be cheaper in Pakistan once the store opens?

Probably not much cheaper. Here’s why:

• Apple controls its prices globally
• Pakistan has high taxes on electronics
• Shipping and import costs are expensive
• Apple doesn’t lower prices for different countries just because of local conditions

You might see small price differences, especially if banks offer discounts or if there are special sales. But don’t expect a huge drop. Apple products will likely stay expensive in Pakistan.

The Grey Market Will Probably Still Exist

Even with the new store, the grey market—buying phones from outside Pakistan—will probably continue. This is because:

• Grey market phones are often cheaper
• Some people prefer certain models that might not be available locally
• The habit of buying from abroad is strong

However, the new store should encourage more people to buy genuine products through official channels instead of taking the risk with grey market imports.What This Means for the Future of Tech in Pakistan

The Airlink Apple store is part of a bigger picture. It shows that international tech companies are taking Pakistan more seriously as a market. It also shows that Pakistani companies like Airlink are becoming important partners for global brands.

This could lead to:

• More premium retailers opening in Pakistan
• Better service for tech products
• Competition that might eventually push prices down
• More jobs in the tech retail sector

How to Prepare for the Store Opening

If you’re excited about the new Apple store, here are things you can do:

1. Save money – Start saving if you want to buy an iPhone or other Apple product when the store opens
2. Follow news – Keep checking tech news websites to find out the exact opening date
3. Visit Dolmen Mall – Get familiar with the location
4. Learn about products – Read about different Apple products so you know what you want
5. Check current prices – See what Apple products cost now so you know if prices change

For More Information

If you want to learn more about Apple and its products, check out these resources:

1. Apple’s Official Global Website – You can browse all Apple products and see their official information, even though they don’t ship directly to Pakistan yet.
2. GNEXT Technologies Pakistan – This is the official distributor of Apple products in Pakistan. They can give you information about authorized dealers and the new Airlink store.

Conclusion

So, is Apple coming to Pakistan? Not exactly—not yet, anyway. What we’re getting is Airlink’s authorized reseller store opening in Dolmen Mall Lahore by the end of 2025, which is the next best thing. While it’s not the same as an official Apple store with a Genius Bar, it’s still great news for Pakistani Apple fans who want to buy real products with warranties and official support.

The confusion about “official” versus “authorized reseller” is understandable, but this store will definitely make it easier for people across Pakistan to get genuine Apple products in one convenient location. It shows that the global tech market is taking Pakistan seriously, and it opens the door for Apple to possibly open actual official stores in the future.

For now, mark the end of 2025 on your calendar, save your money, and get ready to shop for iPhones and iPads in a proper retail setting instead of hunting around the grey market.