PTA supports rationalisation of mobile device taxes to boost smartphone affordability
- Maintains that any taxation framework should strike a balance between affordability of smartphones
The PTA advocates for rationalizing mobile device duties and taxes to enhance smartphone affordability, protect local manufacturing, and combat illegal imports, aligning with digital transformation goals.
- PTA's stance on mobile device duties and taxes.
- Balancing smartphone affordability and local manufacturing.
- Curbing illegal mobile imports and IMEI tampering.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has supported rationalisation of duties and taxes on mobile devices to improve smartphone affordability, while stressing the need to protect local mobile phone manufacturing and curb illegal imports.
Official document of PTA noted that its statutory mandate was limited to the technical evaluation of mobile devices, while matters relating to imposition, assessment, collection and administration of duties and taxes fell exclusively within the jurisdiction of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
However, the telecom regulator said it supported rationalisation of duties and taxes on mobile devices in line with the government’s digital transformation agenda.
READ MORE: Mobile phones worth USD1.889bn imported during 2025-26
The PTA maintained that any taxation framework should strike a balance between affordability of smartphones and the sustainability of local mobile manufacturing vis-à-vis completely built-up (CBU) imports.
Such a framework, it added, would not only make smartphones more affordable but also discourage illegal imports and illicit practices, including International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) tampering.
The PTA’s position was included in the briefing for a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat scheduled for August 21, where the authority and Pakistan Customs authorities were to brief lawmakers on valuation of imported mobile phones, including revaluation of older models and rationalisation of related taxes.
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