ISLAMABAD: Mobile phone imports surge more than 27% year-on-year, reflecting rising consumer demand and higher spending on smartphones
Pakistan imported mobile phones worth Rs530 billion during the fiscal year 2025-26, marking a significant increase of more than 27% compared with the previous fiscal year, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The latest PBS figures showed that Pakistan imports mobile phones worth Rs530 billion in FY2025-26, compared with Rs417 billion in FY2024-25, representing a year-on-year increase of 27.24% in rupee terms.
In dollar terms, Pakistan imports mobile phones valued at $1.89 billion during FY2025-26, up from $1.49 billion recorded in the previous fiscal year. This reflects an annual growth of 26.55%, highlighting sustained demand for imported smartphones and mobile devices despite economic challenges.
The rise in Pakistan imports mobile phones indicates improving consumer confidence and continued expansion of the country’s smartphone market. Market analysts believe stronger retail demand, wider availability of premium devices, and increased imports by distributors contributed to the higher import bill.
Monthly PBS data also showed a notable increase in mobile phone imports during June 2026. Pakistan imported mobile phones worth $141 million during the month, compared with $126 million in May 2026. This represents a month-on-month increase of 11.88%, suggesting stronger import activity towards the end of the fiscal year.
On an annual basis, June 2026 imports also exceeded the $137 million recorded in June 2025, posting a year-on-year growth of 2.62%.
The steady increase in Pakistan imports mobile phones comes as the local market continues to witness strong demand for both premium and budget smartphones. The expansion of digital services, mobile banking, e-commerce, and high-speed internet usage has encouraged consumers to upgrade their devices, supporting higher import volumes.
Industry observers note that mobile phone imports remain one of the major contributors to Pakistan’s overall electronics import bill. While the country has encouraged local assembly of smartphones in recent years, imported handsets and components continue to account for a substantial share of the market.
The latest PBS figures suggest that demand for smartphones remained resilient throughout FY2025-26, even as consumers faced inflationary pressures and fluctuating exchange rates. Higher imports also reflect the launch of new smartphone models and improved supply chains compared with previous years.
With digital adoption continuing to accelerate across Pakistan, analysts expect mobile phone demand to remain strong in the coming fiscal year, although future import trends will depend on exchange rate movements, government import policies, and consumer purchasing power.
