Key Takeaways
- Pakistan’s mobile phone imports fell 8.85% in July-August 2026.
- Imports of telecom equipment increased 8.95% during the same period.
- The shift reflects growing investment in telecom infrastructure.
Pakistan’s mobile phone imports declined by 8.85% in July-August 2026, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The value of mobile phone imports dropped to $274.129 million from $300.741 million in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. In rupee terms, imports decreased by 10.53% to Rs76.267 billion, compared to Rs85.245 billion.
The decline in mobile phone imports was more pronounced on a month-on-month basis, with a 4.80% decrease in August 2026 compared to July 2026. However, on a year-on-year basis, imports of mobile phones fell by 13.82% in August 2026, from $155.129 million in August 2025.
In contrast, Pakistan’s demand for telecom infrastructure remained robust, with imports of telecom equipment increasing by 8.95% to $432.044 million during July-August 2026. This is a rise of 6.95% in rupee terms, compared to Rs112.398 billion in the same period of the previous year.
The increase in telecom equipment imports is attributed to ongoing investments in the country’s telecom infrastructure, including network expansion and preparations for next-generation mobile services. However, on a year-on-year basis, telecom equipment imports declined by 3.42% to $197.269 million in August 2026, from $204.263 million in August 2025. On a month-on-month basis, imports of telecom equipment fell by 15.98% in August 2026, compared to $234.775 million in July 2026.
The contrasting trends indicate a shift in the composition of telecom-related imports, with infrastructure and network equipment continuing to generate significant import demand, while handset imports remained comparatively subdued during the first two months of the fiscal year.
The data suggests that while the demand for mobile phones may be waning, the focus on building a robust telecom infrastructure is still strong. This shift could have implications for the domestic market and the overall telecom sector in Pakistan.
