Mobile phone imports slipped sharply in the opening quarter of the current fiscal year. Fresh data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), reported on October 16, 2026, shows that Pakistan spent $417.24 million on mobile phone imports between July and September 2026 — a 16.55% drop from the roughly $500.01 million spent in the same quarter last year. The decline fits a bigger trend: locally assembled handsets are steadily replacing fully built imported phones, while telecom equipment imports are moving in the opposite direction.
The Numbers: Q1 FY27 at a Glance
The first three months of FY27 tell a clear story. Mobile phone imports fell to $417.24 million from about $500.01 million a year earlier, a year-on-year decline of 16.55%. In local currency, the import bill stood at Rs. 116.01 billion, down around 18% from Rs. 141.42 billion in Q1 FY26.
| Period | Import value (USD) | Import value (PKR) | Change (YoY) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 FY27 (Jul–Sep 2026) | $417.24M | Rs. 116.01bn | −16.55% |
| Q1 FY26 (Jul–Sep 2025) | ~$500.01M | Rs. 141.42bn | — |
The drop reflects fewer fully built handsets arriving from abroad as domestic assembly plants meet more of the local demand.
September in Detail
September 2026 alone brought a mixed picture. Mobile phone imports reached $143.14 million, up 7.1% from August’s $133.66 million — but still 28.2% below the $199.27 million recorded in September 2025.
In rupee terms, September imports stood at Rs. 39.75 billion, roughly 7% higher than August’s Rs. 37.17 billion, yet 29.2% lower than the Rs. 56.17 billion spent in September last year. So while the month picked up slightly against August, the broader year-on-year decline remained firmly in place.
Telecom Equipment Imports Tell a Different Story
While handset imports fell, the other side of the telecom import bill grew strongly. Imports of telecom equipment and accessories surged 41.46% year-on-year in Q1 FY27, reaching $234.57 million against $165.82 million in the same quarter last year. In rupee terms, the figure stood at Rs. 65.23 billion.
September followed the same pattern: other telecom apparatus imports hit $76.94 million (Rs. 21.37 billion), up 9.9% in dollar terms from September 2025. This growth points to continued investment in network infrastructure and preparations for next-generation mobile services, even as finished handset imports decline.
Local Assembly Is Replacing Imports
The biggest reason behind falling handset imports is the boom in local manufacturing. Between January and August 2026, local assembly plants produced 18.66 million mobile handsets — including around 8 million smartphones and about 11 million 2G phones — while commercial imports stood at just 2.74 million units.
PTA data shows smartphones now account for 71% of all active mobile devices on local networks, with 2G phones holding the remaining 29%. Looking back at the full 2025 calendar year, local plants assembled 30.21 million handsets against only 2.37 million commercial imports. The shift from imports to domestic assembly is clearly the driving force behind the shrinking import bill.
What It Means for Buyers
For consumers, this trend is largely positive. Locally assembled phones usually carry lower taxes and duties than fully built imports, which can keep retail prices competitive. A stronger domestic assembly industry also means better after-sales support and steadier supply.
However, some imported models may see slower launches or limited availability in the local market. Buyers eyeing premium imported flagships should check availability and prices carefully, while mid-range and budget buyers will find plenty of locally assembled options that offer strong value for money.
FAQs
Why did mobile phone imports fall in Q1 FY27?
The main reason is the growth of local assembly. With domestic plants producing 18.66 million handsets in the first eight months of 2026, far fewer fully built phones needed to be imported.
How much did mobile phone imports drop?
Mobile phone imports fell 16.55% year-on-year to $417.24 million in the July–September 2026 quarter, down from about $500.01 million a year earlier.
How did September 2026 perform?
September imports reached $143.14 million — up 7.1% from August but 28.2% below September 2025. So the month improved slightly against August but remained well below last year’s level.
What about telecom equipment imports?
They moved the other way. Telecom equipment and accessories imports surged 41.46% year-on-year to $234.57 million in Q1 FY27, reflecting strong investment in network infrastructure.
Will locally assembled phones get cheaper?
Not necessarily, but local assembly generally keeps prices lower than fully imported models because of reduced duties. Expect competitive pricing in the mid-range and budget segments.
Conclusion
The PBS numbers confirm what industry watchers already suspected: the country’s mobile market is turning inward. Handset imports dropped 16.55% to $417.24 million in Q1 FY27 as local plants assembled over 18 million handsets in eight months, while telecom equipment imports surged more than 41% on network investment. For buyers, the takeaway is simple — the local market is increasingly powered by domestically assembled phones, and the import bill will keep shrinking as that trend continues.