Has PTA Removed Taxes on Mobile Phones?
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has clarified that no official decision has been made to remove taxes on imported mobile phones in Pakistan, contrary to recent online reports.
In a recent statement, the PTA explained that while returning Pakistanis are exempt from these taxes, non-PTA mobile users can temporarily register their devices by restarting them with a SIM card inserted. However, this is a provisional measure and does not indicate a broader removal of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) taxes on handset registration.
The PTA’s role is to verify the technical standards of mobile devices for registration through the Device Identification, Registration, and Blocking System (DIRBS) after FBR taxes are paid. The responsibility for implementing and collecting these taxes lies with the FBR, not the PTA.
To prevent misinformation, the PTA urged citizens to rely on official sources for updates and avoid spreading unverified information. For accurate updates regarding mobile device taxes, the public should consult the FBR directly.
Last year, the government introduced a facility allowing overseas Pakistanis to register their handsets tax-free through the Temporary Registration System for 120 days during each visit, aiming to ease the process for returning expatriates.
