Pakistan’s local mobile phone assembly sector produced 18.66 million handsets during the first eight months of 2026, significantly higher than the 2.74 million devices commercially imported into the country during the same period.
Of the locally assembled phones, around 8 million were smartphones, while nearly 11 million were 2G handsets. The figures indicate that local assembly continues to play a major role in meeting the country’s demand for mobile devices.
Meanwhile, mobile phone imports declined during the July-August period. Imports fell by 8.85% year-on-year to $274.13 million, reflecting a reduction in the value of commercially imported mobile devices.
At the same time, Pakistan recorded growth in telecom equipment imports. Imports of telecom equipment increased by 8.95% to $432.04 million during July and August 2026.
The rise in telecom equipment imports comes as the country continues to invest in network infrastructure and prepare for next-generation mobile services. Higher spending on telecom equipment points to ongoing efforts to expand and upgrade network capacity.
According to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority data, smartphones currently account for around 71% of mobile devices operating on Pakistan’s networks. This shows the growing importance of smartphones in the country’s mobile ecosystem.
The latest figures highlight a notable difference between mobile phone imports and local production. While commercially imported handsets remained comparatively lower, local assembly plants produced millions of devices to supply the domestic market.
The combination of strong local handset production and increased telecom equipment imports reflects continued activity across Pakistan’s mobile and telecommunications sectors.
