PM Shehbaz Sharif directs policy for Mobile Phones on Easy Installments

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the preparation of a policy to provide mobile phones on easy installments to facilitate ordinary citizens and consumers.
The development was revealed during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat, where discussions were held on taxes on mobile phones, import policies and local manufacturing.

Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima and officials of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) attended the meeting and briefed the committee on relevant matters.

Local Manufacturing of Mobile Phones
According to the briefing, 93 per cent of mobile phones used in Pakistan are being manufactured locally. Shaza Fatima said locally manufactured mobile phones are not subject to taxes.

The government has been encouraging local manufacturing to promote investment, expand production and create employment opportunities in the country.

Discussion on 5G Smartphone Imports
The committee also discussed the import of 5G smartphones. The federal minister said there was no issue with the import of 5G phones and that FBR taxes were not affecting the progress of 5G technology.

She also stated that the number of mobile phones imported from abroad was not very high.

Tax Policy on Older Mobile Phones
Regarding a possible reduction in taxes on older mobile phones, Shaza Fatima said the Tax Policy Office had the authority to determine tax rates on different products and mobile phones.

She suggested inviting representatives of the Tax Policy Office to the committee meeting to discuss the matter.

Mobile Phone Models and Storage Capacity
FBR officials informed the committee that the specific model and storage capacity of a mobile phone play an important role in determining its tax rate.

However, officials said the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s (PTA) existing system was unable to identify the specific mobile phone model, raising concerns regarding the classification and taxation of different devices.

What Consumers Need to Know
The proposed installment policy could allow consumers to purchase mobile phones without paying the full price upfront.

However, details regarding eligibility, installment duration, advance payments, financing arrangements and the launch date have not yet been announced.

Note
The policy is currently at the proposal and preparation stage. The government has not yet announced the final terms and conditions, eligible mobile phone models or the official launch date. Consumers should wait for an official notification before making any payments or relying on claims regarding the scheme.