Mobile Phone Imports Drop as Pakistan Spends $27 Million Less

Pakistan imported mobile phones worth $274.129 million in the first two months of fiscal year 2026-27, a decrease of nearly $27 million (9%) compared to the previous year's $300.741 million, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. The import bill fell 10.53% in rupee terms, from Rs. 85.245 billion to Rs. 76.267 billion for July and August 2026.

In August alone, mobile phone imports fell 13.8% to $133.6 million, compared to $155.129 million in August 2025. Meanwhile, telecom equipment imports rose 8.95% to $432.044 million in the same period, increasing 6.95% in rupee terms from Rs. 112.398 billion to Rs. 120.211 billion. Higher telecom equipment imports were attributed to continued investment in network expansion and preparations for next-generation mobile services in Pakistan.

However, telecom equipment imports showed a decrease in August, falling to $197.269 million, a 3.42% decline from $204.263 million in July and a 15.98% drop from $234.775 million in the same month last year.