ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has supported a reduction in heavy taxes imposed on imported mobile phones, citing growing public concern over the rising cost of smartphones in the country.
According to PTA officials, the existing tax regime has made modern smartphones unaffordable for a large segment of the population, limiting access to essential digital services. The authority noted that mobile phones are no longer a luxury item but a basic necessity for education, business, digital banking, and online employment.
Sources said the PTA has submitted formal recommendations to the government, urging a review of import duties and taxes on mobile phones. The authority highlighted that excessive taxation has restricted access to modern technology for ordinary consumers and has created difficulties for overseas Pakistanis returning home with mobile phones for personal use.
PTA officials said that high taxes have turned mobile phone registration at airports into a costly process, leading to repeated complaints from overseas Pakistanis. They added that a reasonable reduction in taxes would not only provide relief to consumers but also encourage legal imports of mobile phones.
Experts believe that easing the tax burden could result in a noticeable decline in mobile phone prices in Pakistan by 2026. They noted that mobile phone prices in Pakistan are currently significantly higher than in other countries in the region, which has contributed to an increase in smuggling and the use of illegal devices.
Analysts said that lowering taxes would enhance market competition, curb illegal trade, and could generate higher long-term revenue for the government through increased legal sales.
PTA officials expressed hope that the federal government would review mobile phone taxation in the upcoming budget or as part of its 2026 policy framework. If approved, the move could enable Pakistani consumers to purchase modern smartphones at more affordable prices in the coming year.
