Jul-Aug mobile phone imports decline 8.85pc YoY

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s mobile phone imports declined 8. 85 percent during the first two months of the current fiscal year, falling to USD274. 129 million from USD300. 741 million in the corresponding period of last fiscal year, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). In rupee terms, mobile phone imports decreased 10. 53 percent to Rs76. 267 billion during July-August 2026, compared to Rs85. 245 billion during the same period of 2025. On a year-on-year basis, mobile phone imports also registered a decline of 13. 82 percent in August 2026, falling to USD133. 695 million from USD155. 129 million in August 2025. READ MORE: Mobile phones worth USD1. 889bn imported during 2025-26 On a month-on-month basis, imports of mobile phones declined 4. 80 percent in August 2026 compared to USD140. 434 million in July 2026. In contrast, Pakistan’s demand for telecom infrastructure remained relatively strong during the period under review, with imports of telecom equipment increasing 8. 95 percent to USD432. 044 million during July-August 2026, compared to USD395. 536 million in the corresponding period of last year. In rupee terms, telecom equipment imports rose 6. 95 percent to Rs120. 211 billion during the first two months of the current fiscal year, compared to Rs112. 398 billion during the same period of last year. The increase in telecom equipment imports comes amid continued investment in the country’s telecom infrastructure, including network expansion and preparations for the rollout of next-generation mobile services. However, on a year-on-year basis, telecom equipment imports declined 3. 42 percent to USD197. 269 million in August 2026 from USD204. 263 million in August 2025. On a month-on-month basis, telecom equipment imports fell 15. 98 percent in August 2026 compared to USD234. 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. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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