The Senate Standing Committee has recommended an immediate reduction in taxes on imported mobile phones.
According to a private news channel, a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat was held under the chairmanship of Senator Rana Mahmood-ul-Hassan, where the committee discussed the agenda concerning the valuation of imported mobile phones.
Officials from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said Customs would have to develop a mechanism for determining the value of imported mobile phones. The committee subsequently directed Customs officials to formulate a mechanism for taxes on imported mobile phones.
Senator Abdul Qadir Baloch said it needed to be considered whether taxes should be imposed on mobile phones at all. The committee therefore recommended an immediate reduction in taxes on imported mobile phones.
Officials from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said that imposing or abolishing taxes was the prerogative of Parliament. The committee sought reports from the FBR and the Tariff Commission regarding taxes on mobile phones.
Committee member Dilawar Khan said the country’s policies were not long-term. PTA officials responded that 35 companies are manufacturing smartphones in Pakistan.
Senator Sadia Abbasi said the government should facilitate businesses rather than exploit them, adding that the government was creating difficulties for people by imposing taxes and levies.
Cabinet Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal said digital payments were bringing a revolution to the country’s payment system. He also opposed the imposition of sales tax on mobile phones.
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