Web Desk: Smartphone users in Pakistan facing steep upfront taxes on imported handsets could soon receive financial relief after an initiative to allow payments in installments was announced.
Pakistan Peoples Party lawmaker Qasim Gilani said the effort, which he said had continued for two years, had resulted in an arrangement allowing eligible users to pay the applicable Pakistan Telecommunication Authority-related tax in monthly installments instead of settling the entire amount at once.
Under the reported arrangement, consumers facing tax bills ranging from around 100,000 rupees to 250,000 rupees could pay approximately 8,000 to 17,000 rupees per month.
The proposed payment structure would reduce the immediate financial pressure on consumers who import smartphones and otherwise face substantial charges before their devices can be fully registered for use on local mobile networks.
Gilani said the initiative was aimed at helping consumers who have struggled to meet the high upfront cost associated with imported smartphones.
The lawmaker said efforts would continue to secure additional concessions for smartphone users and provide further relief.
The development could particularly benefit consumers purchasing higher-end imported devices, where taxes can represent a significant portion of the handset’s overall cost.
However, details about the installment scheme remain limited.
Authorities have yet to provide complete details about the mechanism, including the eligibility criteria, repayment period, applicable devices and the precise process for enrolling in the installment facility.
Until those details are formally released, consumers may need to wait for further clarification before making payment arrangements under the proposed system.
If implemented as announced, the facility would mark a significant change for consumers who have faced the burden of paying large smartphone-related tax bills in a single transaction.
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