Pakistan’s Mobile Phone Import Bill Falls by Nearly $27 Million

Pakistan’s spending on mobile phone imports declined by nearly $27 million during the first two months of fiscal year 2026-27, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

The country imported mobile phones worth $274.129 million in July and August, compared with $300.741 million during the same period of the previous fiscal year. This represents a decline of nearly 9 percent.

Mobile Imports Also Decline in Rupee Terms

The decrease was more pronounced when measured in Pakistani rupees. The mobile phone import bill fell by 10.53 percent, dropping to Rs. 76.267 billion during July and August from Rs. 85.245 billion recorded a year earlier.

In August alone, mobile phone imports amounted to $133.6 million. This was around 13.8 percent lower than the $155.129 million imported in August 2025.

August imports also declined by 4.80 percent compared with the $140.434 million recorded in July 2026.

Telecom Equipment Imports Rise

While mobile phone imports declined, Pakistan’s overall telecom equipment imports increased during the first two months of FY2026-27.

Telecom equipment imports rose by 8.95 percent to $432.044 million, compared with $395.536 million during the corresponding period last year.

In rupee terms, telecom equipment imports increased by 6.95 percent, reaching Rs. 120.211 billion, compared with Rs. 112.398 billion a year earlier.

The increase was attributed to continued investment in telecommunications network expansion and preparations for next-generation mobile services.

August Telecom Imports Lose Momentum

Despite the overall growth during July and August, telecom equipment imports declined in the second month of the fiscal year.

Imports stood at $197.269 million in August, down 3.42 percent from $204.263 million recorded in August last year.

The August figure was also 15.98 percent lower than the $234.775 million recorded in July 2026.